Scholarly Associations
Civil Society

Resources Relating to the Study of
Religion and Nature

Scholarly Associations, Centers, and Programs

This section provides a listing of some of the growing number of academic organizations, centers and institutes, programs, and positions that are exploring the interdisciplinary nexus of religion, nature and culture.

Organizations

Academic Programs

There are a wide variety of graduate programs where students can study aspects of the relationships between people and their religions and environments, or explore such relationships from their own faith traditions. Many university-based divinity schools have both theological and non-theological faculty who mentor students in graduate research engaging religion and nature. A few programs, however, are developing specific graduate curriculum for such study, or are seeking to enhance their ability to mentor students in this area:
The University of Florida’s Graduate Program in Religion & Nature is the first program with such a specialized curriculum. It offers M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Religion and Nature. Inaugurated in 2003, it also serves as the administrative hub for the International Society for the Study of Religion, Nature, and Culture, the editorial offices of the award-winning Encyclopedia of Religion and Nature and the trend-setting Journal for the Study of Religion, Nature, and Culture. The program also benefits from its collaboration with outstanding programs in the Anthropology department’s graduate program in Ecological Anthropology and the History of Science among others.
The University of Hawai’i’s Department of Anthropology offers M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Ecological Anthropology, including a Spiritual Ecology Concentration, the first such concentration in an Anthropology Department.
The University of North Texas’s Department of Philosophy and Religion Studies, which has the strongest program in environmental ethics/philosophy in the USA, is broadening its expertise to include religion, nature and society.  It also serves as the publishing home for the flagship journal Environmental Ethics, and maintains a list of Environmental Ethics Graduate Programs, some of which have faculty with religion and nature expertise.
The University of Amsterdam’s Center for the History of Hermetic Philosophy and Related Currents offers programs with a clear focus on religion and nature, including its graduate degrees researching Mysticism and Western Esotericism.
A number of other programs have faculty specialists who mentor students in graduate education focused on religion and nature. These include:
Drew University's Theological School and Religious Studies Department. With both theologians and social scientists studying various aspects of religion and nature it is a good example of a university that enjoys synergies for religion and nature studies through cooperative relationships among theological school and university faculty.
Northwestern University’s Department of Religion offers M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Religion and has faculty interested in religion and nature, and environmental ethics, including some of the leading experts in North American religion.
Schumacher College for ecological and environmental studies offers an MSc degree in Holistic Science (UK).
Syracuse University's Department of Religion, offers M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Religion, and benefits from faculty experts in religion and anthropology who focus on South Asia and indigenous religions.
University of California, Santa Barbara, Religious Studies Department, offers M.A. and Ph.D. Degrees in Religion, and has faculty who specialize in nature religion in America and indigenous traditions.
The University of Strathclyde and the Centre for Human Ecology (Scotland), offers an MSc in Human Ecology with significant attention to its religious dimensions.
The University of Vermont’s Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources offers M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Natural Resources with a concentration in Environmental Thought and Culture, as well as Environment, Society, and Public Affairs. It is enriched by strong faculty expertise in religion and nature, environmental humanities, and environmental ethics.
Yale University’s Divinity School appointed two pioneering religion and ecology scholars in 2007, which will enhance religion and nature-related graduate studies there, including interdisciplinary research conducted by faculty affiliated with its School of Forestry and Environmental Studies.
Prospective graduate students can also consider interdisciplinary programs in Environmental Studies (such as at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and the University of Oregon (USA), or The University of Toronto and York University (Canada), and disciplinary ones such as those found in Anthropology, Philosophy, Literature departments at other outstanding schools. Some examples of unique programs where faculty have known expertise in religion and nature include:
Tufts University, Center for Animals and Public Policy, at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine (USA), offers M.A. degrees in Ethics and Values and Animals and Public Policy, and has faculty expertise in religion, animals, and nature.
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Interdisciplinary Centers, Institutes, Initiatives & Projects

Radboud University Nijmegen’s
Centre for Sustainable Management of Resources,
Sustainability Projects and Conferences
(The Netherlands)
Harvard Divinity School’s
Center for the Study of World Religions,
Religion and Environment Projects and Resources
(USA)
The University of Montana’s
Center for Ethics is involved in offering programs in Environmental Ethics
(USA)
Vanderbilt University’s
Center for the Study of Religion and Culture,
Project in Ecology and Spirituality in America
(USA)
The University of Chicago’s
Religion and Environment Initiative
(USA)
The University of Winchester’s
Faith and Social Change Conferences
(UK)
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Jobs

University of Idaho (Moscow, ID. USA)
Assistant Professor
AOS: Environmental Philosophy, broadly construed
AOC: Open
Deadline for Application: 30 November 2007
Five courses/year (3/2 semester), undergraduate and graduate, MA thesis supervision, usual research, committee, and other non-teaching duties. AOS: Professional or Applied Ethics. AOC: Ethical Theory. Position will require active participation in newly created Center for Professional Ethics & Justice. Course assignments will include courses in professional/applied ethics (e.g., Agricultural Ethics, Business Ethics, Engineering Ethics, Bioethics, Global Ethics) and introductory and advanced courses in ethical theory. Familiarity with feminist ethics desirable. Ability and willingness to engage in interdisciplinary scholarship and teaching is expected. Ph.D. in Philosophy required prior to appointment. Salary competitive.
Apply online at www.hr.uidaho.edu/employment/ and submit by mail a complete dossier (including letter of application, curriculum vitae, three letters of recommendation, writing sample, evidence of teaching excellence, and a statement on pedagogical goals and methods) to:
Ethics Search Committee
Department of Philosophy
University of Idaho
Moscow, ID 83844-3016
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University of Idaho (Moscow, ID. USA)
Assistant Professor
AOS: Professional or Applied Ethics
AOC: Ethical Theory
Deadline for Application: 30 November 2007
Five courses/year (3/2 semester), undergraduate and graduate, MA thesis supervision, usual research, committee, and other non-teaching duties. AOS: Environmental Philosophy, broadly construed. AOC: Open. Position requires leadership ability for departmental M.A. emphasis in environmental philosophy and active participation in newly created Center for Professional Ethics & Justice. Course assignments will include courses in environmental philosophy and history of philosophy. The department has teaching needs in both ancient/medieval and modern philosophy. Familiarity with feminist or non-western philosophy desirable. Ability and willingness to engage in interdisciplinary scholarship and teaching is expected. Ph.D. in Philosophy required prior to appointment. Salary competitive.
Apply online at www.hr.uidaho.edu/employment/ and submit by mail a complete dossier (including letter of application, curriculum vitae, three letters of recommendation, writing sample, evidence of teaching excellence, and a statement on pedagogical goals and methods) to:
Environmental Philosophy Search Committee
Department of Philosophy
University of Idaho
Moscow, ID 83844-3016
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East Tennessee State University (USA)
Assistant Professor
Environmental Philosophy and Non-Western
Philosophy/Religion
Deadline for Application: No deadline, review begins 10 Nov 2007
Applications are invited for a tenure track position (Assistant Professor for a tenure-track position at the Assistant Professor level beginning in Fall 2008. AOS/AOC environmental philosophy and non-western philosophy/religion. (The successful candidate must specialize in one of these fields and be competent to teach in the other.) Candidate must have the ability to teach an introductory survey in world religions. Ph.D. in either philosophy or religious studies, must be completed by end of May, 2008. We seek a colleague who highly values, and has the ability to engage in, conversations across philosophical and cultural traditions. This position is in a department of philosophy that offers two philosophy majors, one with religious studies emphasis, as well as minors in philosophy, religious studies, and interdisciplinary humanities. It has a 3/3 teaching load, expectations of research, and usual service duties. Evidence of strong research and strong teaching is required. Application materials received by November 10, 2007 will receive first consideration. Preliminary interviews will be conducted at the American Philosophical Association Eastern Division Meeting in Baltimore, December 27-29. East Tennessee State University is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer.
Send letter of application, CV, three letters of reference, evidence of teaching excellence, and a brief representative writing sample to Search Committee:
Dr. Allen Coates
Department of Philosophy and Humanities
East Tennessee State University
Box 70656
Johnson City, TN 37614-0656
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University of North Texas (Denton, USA)
Assistant Professor
Religion and Nature or Applied Philosophy
Deadline for Application: No deadline, review begins 1 Oct 2007
Applications are invited for a tenure track position (Assistant Professor) within the Department of Philosophy and Religion Studies, to begin fall of 2008. AOS: in either A) Religion and Nature / Religion and Ecology or B) Applied Philosophy. Our interests in religion include scholars in Buddhism, Islam, or Christianity. Our interests in applied philosophy include bioethics, biotechnology and policy, and nanotechnology and ethics. AOC: Open, but departmental needs include analytic philosophy and/or logic.
As the leading program in environmental philosophy in the United States, the department seeks a dynamic individual who is interested in exploring how their area of expertise intersects with contemporary environmental, cultural, and societal issues. The department is particularly interested in interdisciplinary, field-based philosophic research on issues of local, regional, national, and international scope. Experience and/or interest in working with other humanists, scientists, engineers, and policy analysts is especially valued. Normal teaching load is 2-2.
Qualifications include a Ph.D. by May 1, 2008. The department offers a BA, MA, and PhD in philosophy, and an interdisciplinary minor in religion studies. Located in the Dallas-Ft Worth Metroplex, the university has more than 34,000 students.
Review of applications will begin in October, and will continue until position is filled. Please send a letter of application, your C.V., and three letters of references to:
Philosophy Search Committee
Department of Philosophy and Religion Studies
University of North Texas
P.O. Box 310920
Denton, TX 76201-0920

Or electronically to philosophy@unt.edu
Information about the department can be found at www.phil.unt.edu, and inquiries are welcome at 940-565-2134 or philosophy@unt.edu.
UNT is an AA/ADA/EOE committed to diversity.
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Ursinus College (Pennsylvania, USA)
Assistant Professor
Environmental Studies
Deadline for Application: 1 October 2007
Ursinus College invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professor of environmental studies to begin in fall 2008. A Ph.D. in environmental studies or a related field is expected by the start of employment. Applicants are welcome from all areas of environmental research [including that focused tightly on religion and nature, Dr. Wallace has confirmed] and pedagogical interests within environmental studies. Prior experience teaching in an interdisciplinary environmental program is highly desirable. Teaching responsibilities will include core courses in environmental studies and courses in the candidate's area of expertise. The successful candidate must demonstrate a strong commitment to undergraduate teaching in a liberal arts setting and will be expected to participate in the College's interdisciplinary liberal studies freshman seminar, mentor student research, oversee campus sustainability projects, implement a program of scholarly activity, and participate in the continuing development of our thriving Environmental Studies Program.
Send letter, c.v., undergraduate and graduate transcripts, copies of original teaching evaluations, statement of teaching philosophy, research plan (including student involvement), and three letters of recommendation (at least one of which must address teaching) to Richard L. Wallace, Chair, Environmental Studies, Ursinus College, P.O. Box 1000, Collegeville, PA 19426. To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by Oct. 1, 2007. For inquiries contact Dr. Wallace at rwallace@ursinus.edu (no e-mail applications, please). For more information on the Ursinus Environmental Studies Program, please see http://academic.ursinus.edu/env/.
Ursinus College, established in 1869, is a highly selective, independent, co-educational, residential liberal arts college of 1600 students located 25 miles northwest of center city Philadelphia. Ursinus College is an EEO/AA employer. In keeping with the college's historic commitment to equality, women and minorities are especially encouraged to apply.
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