2026 Conference Theme Religion, Technology, and Innovation
Alexander W. Marcus, Ph.D., President Elect and Program Chair Religion is often seen as a conservative force in the face of rapidly-developing technologies. Yet, as both scholars of religion and practitioners know, religious thought and practice are necessarily in dialogue with the world and can also serve as catalysts for transformation or reference points for negotiating the intersections of tradition and innovation. Religious texts and rituals have always served as sources of meaning that anchor and frame our relationships with technological progress. And the field of Religious Studies, in turn, inevitably intersects with the pressing issues of a given era -- shaped by, and at times shaping, the technological, economic, and social forces around us.
The AAR Western Region has long championed diversity in academic expression and activity, fostering a community where multiple voices, traditions, and methodologies are not only welcomed but celebrated. Our annual gathering is a testament to this legacy, providing a space for robust scholarly exchange. Our theme seeks to balance optimism about the future with a sober awareness of the ethical and spiritual challenges that innovation brings.
Responding to feedback from previous year’s participants, we invite proposals that expand conversations beyond established canons. We seek contributions that explore both historical and emerging forms of religiosity as they engage with societal innovation, including those that challenge conventional boundaries or arise from unexpected contexts. We encourage submissions that push the envelope of what academic presentations can look like, whether through performance, media, or other innovative forms.
We furthermore invite critical examination of the many intersections between religion and contemporary innovation. How have religious communities historically responded to technological and social change -- sometimes resisting, sometimes adapting, sometimes embracing? How do religious teachings grapple with challenges to traditional views of the human being (such as ground-breaking and increasingly pervasive forms of artificial intelligence), or with Marshall McLuhan’s enduring insight that “the medium is the message”? In what ways can technology generate its own spiritualities, or offer alternatives to traditional religious practice? How are our understandings of community and individuality being reshaped by digital life, and what role might sabbath-like praxis, or other forms of counter-cultural religious expression, play in response? How is Religious Studies itself being transformed, and how might our discipline contribute to these inquiries inside and outside of the classroom? We are especially interested in papers/presentations that address the ethical and social implications of these issues, including how they intersect with cultural and socioeconomic status, gender, sexuality, race, and differing ability. We welcome all perspectives, including those not yet represented in our ongoing conversation.
We look forward to continuing our tradition of critical inquiry, creative expression, and communal learning. On behalf of the AAR-WR leadership, I invite you to join us in exploring the rich and complex terrain where religion, technology, and innovation meet.
Alexander W. Marcus President Elect & Program Chair Belzberg Family and Jewish Federation of Edmonton Assistant Professor of Jewish Studies Department of History, Classics, and Religion University of Alberta
