Herman Selderhuis

**Introduction**

This 7th volume in the series EUARE LECTURES contains the four keynote lectures presented at the European Academy of Religion's Seventh Annual Conference held in Palermo, Italy, May 20–23, 2024 as it was organized by FSCIRE.

The overarching theme of the conference was “Paradigm Shifts”, and four keynote speakers were invited to offer papers about the topic from their particular point of view: Prof. Alberto Melloni (University of Modena and Reggio Emilia), Prof. Alexander Kulik (The Hebrew University of Jerusalem), Prof. Elisabeth Gräb-Schmidt (Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen), and Prof. Vincent Goossaert (Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes). The text of these lectures is presented in this volume.

The expression “paradigm shift” can be fruitfully applied to scholarship regarding religion. It can highlight when and how the multiple disciplines of the broader field of religious studies found ways to change their own perspectives and the manner of defining, reading and analyzing the objects of their analyses. Paradigm shifts result for example from positive or conflictual engagement with major historical events, the use of innovative theoretical lenses to further understand the significance of religion, the adoption of brand new or established technologies which bring disruptive discoveries to the fore, but essentially also through the ways in which historical events or social, political and/or intellectual developments affect views on religion, religious standpoints and practices as well as research on religion.

All four presenters approached the theme from their specific area of research and demonstrated how fruitful and challenging paradigm shifts can work, but also how a forced shift in paradigm can lead to overlooking fundamental aspects of religion and to neglecting established research. Key element in these lectures is the question how the paradigm shift caused by the anthropological turn in religion affects the relevance of religion and of theology and religious studies for other academic disciplines as well as for politics and society. This element touches the mission of the European Academy of Religion as an academic forum promoting research, increasing academic quality and creating awareness for the role of religion in the public square.

Herman Selderhuis, President European Academy of Religion

<figure><img src="image_1.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_2.png" /></figure>
<figure><img src="image_3.png" /></figure>