Unit for the Study of Religious Change and Consciousness
The Unit for the Study of Religious Change and Consciousness brings together scholars across Griffith University, researching the variety of ways in which social change stimulates, and is stimulated by, changes in religions.
Researchers examine the social and political contexts of religious change, the internal organisational dynamics of change in religious bodies, and changing religious cultures and spiritualities.
The Unit also facilitates research into the psychology of spiritual experiences, making use of approaches from conventional psychology, transpersonal psychology and consciousness studies. Other projects have concerned the interfaces between religion, philosophy and the history of ideas.
Research themes
The principle research themes addressed by core members are:
- Contemporary Religious Consciousness and Experience
- New Religious Movements
- Contemporary Utopianism and
- Post-religion
In addition to stimulating exchange on religion and spirituality, the Unit encourages interaction of scholars both in Australia and from overseas by hosting occasional seminars and colloquia open to the wider scholarly community and public.
Although the Unit has no degree program associated with it, faculty at the University linked to the Unit supervise postgraduate students researching theses and dissertations related to the Unit's research themes.
Participants in the Unit have contributed to the development of teaching programs at Griffith by offering courses and lectures relating to religion and spirituality, principally in the Humanities and Asian Studies degree programs. Members have also played a major role in developing institutional linkages between the Brisbane College of Theology and Griffith University. The affiliation agreement between these institutions now give students of both access to courses and supervision at the other campuses.
The Unit engages with the wider community by offering occasional weekend programs open to the general public. Scholars associated with the Unit have also given talks to numerous organisations in the Australian community and offered expert comment through radio and television programs.
The Unit has contributed, through the agency of several of its members, to the development of Griffith's Multi-Faith Centre, participating in program development and in a number of public education and inter-faith dialogue activities.
More information
For more information about the Unit's research or activities, please contact our Convenor, Associate Professor Julia Howell.