American Academy of Religion

We are the largest scholarly society dedicated to the academic study of religion. Our mission is to foster excellence in the academic study of religion and enhance the public understanding of religion.

About AAR

AAR Guidelines for Supporting and Evaluating Public Scholarship in Religion

Approved by the AAR Board on January 26, 2025, the AAR Guidelines for Supporting and Evaluating Public Scholarship in Religion provide strategies and recommendations for creating standards that recognize, assess, and reward public scholarship as scholarship (not only as teaching or service) within the critical study of religion.

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News & Publications

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Benefits of Membership

When you become an AAR member, you join the largest society dedicated to the academic study of religion. You also gain a wide range of benefits that will enable you to elevate your career and grow your community.

Present at Our Annual Meetings

Develop Your Skills and Career

Grow Your Network and Community

Access Professional Resources, Discounts, and More

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Types of Membership

Emilie Townes

Martin Luther King, Jr. Professor of Religion and Black Studies, Boston University
Member since 1985

The opportunity to present papers, meet senior scholars, discover the scholars in my age cohort, forge both friendships and project partners, serve on committees, and become AAR's first Black woman president was made possible by my membership.

Asma Afsaruddin

Herman B. Wells Endowed Professor of Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures, Indiana University at Bloomington
Member Since 1999

AAR has been a wonderful venue to present my research and learn from the work of other specialists in my field and beyond. Every annual conference provides a cornucopia of panels to attend and opportunities to network with colleagues who keep me connected with the latest trends in my field.

Wendy Mallette

Assistant Professor of Religious Studies, University of Oklahoma
Member Since 2013

AAR has enabled me to keep up with friends and colleagues, even as we’ve moved to different institutions across the country. The support that comes from these opportunities to catch up with old friends and to meet new ones has been immensely generative for me over the years.

WebinAAR Recordings

AAR produces and sponsors webinAARs every month on topics related to the academic study and teaching of religion. Recordings typically require an AAR membership to view.

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More to Explore

Religious Studies News Podcast

Hear from emerging and established scholars in religious studies about what inspires and informs their work.

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Book Reviews

Read the latest reviews published in our openly accessible book review website, Reading Religion.

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Why AAR

Religious Studies Matters

Religion influences most aspects of our world and the study of religion has never been more important. AAR is committed to advocating for the academic study of religion. We support religion scholars working in many fields, and we provide resources and engagement opportunities to improve the public understanding of religion.

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American Academy of Religion

AAR Guidelines for Supporting and Evaluating Public Scholarship in Religion

News & Publications

In Memoriam: Donald Dreisbach

AAR Endorses Linguistic Society of America’s Statament Against Designating English as the Official Language

In Memoriam: Edward Albert Yonan