University in Flames

Forthcoming, 2026

Neoliberalism and authoritarian populism are some of the main forces endangering contemporary universities. This applies to the study of religion in several ways. The numbers of new tenured positions and students are going down in North America, but some departments suffer more than others. What is required is a careful reflection on the current working conditions and an examination of future of the field. This volume asks, in what ways do specific educational, institutional, and broader social locations and environments inform perspectives on religion and the contours of scholarly debate? Based on surveys and self-consciously personal observations of various university settings, explorations of research environments, and investigations of dissemination platforms, these personal contributions from different career stages exemplify the dynamic between forces shaping academia today and individuals navigating in their situation while constructing a better future for themselves and the field of study. Examining the elements that comprise the ecology of the field provides opportunities to sharpen our scholarly pursuits.