Graduate Student and Professional Development

Graduate students are a significant presence within the AAR at the regional and national level.
Below are a number of programs, services, and opportunities within the AAR for graduate students:

AAR Western Region

  • Facebook page: Join "Student Members of the AAR Western Region" for regional updates.

  • Graduate Student Professional Development Unit: This unit issues an annual call for papers and hosts sessions on graduate student professional development at the regional meeting in March. Past sessions have addressed pedagogy and the job market. Other topics may include, but are not limited to, CVs, grants, networking, work-life balance, and more.

  • Student Paper Competition: Any student whose paper is accepted for the regional conference may submit their paper in advance to be considered for the competition. Cash prizes are awarded for first, second, and third place.

  • Student Representatives: Our region allows up to three student representatives from different areas of the region, who will each represent student concerns as voting members of the regional board of directors. These positions are elected at the business meeting on the last day of the regional conference. One of the three student representatives is elected to also serve on the national AAR Graduate Student Committee. 

AAR National

  • Facebook Page: Join "Student Members and Friends of the American Academy of Religion" for national updates. 

  • Speaking of Students (SOS) Newsletter: An online publication emailed to AAR student members quarterly with updates and opportunities.

  • Graduate Student Committee (GSC): The GSC is a working group of the AAR national board and consists of student representatives elected from each of the twelve AAR regions. The GSC is charged with organizing student events at the Annual Meeting and coordinating regional student events.

  • Student Director: Every two years, the AAR general membership elects a national Student Director, who will chair the GSC and represent student concerns as a voting member of the AAR national board. Our current student director is Sarah Robinson. 

  • Annual Meeting Student Lounge and Workshop Series: The student lounge is a place for student members to relax and mingle during the Annual Meeting. It often has free beverages and occasional snacks. It also hosts a series of workshops (listed in the conference program) on professional development.
If you have questions about how to get involved at the regional or national level, or if you have concerns or suggestions, please contact the current student representatives, Kimberly (Kim) Diaz (University of California, Riverside).  
Links to Resources for Students: