Charge

To select the winners of the AAR’s Book Awards Program 

Duties and Responsibilities

Book Award jurors participate in juries for one of the following awards:

  • Best First Book in Religious Studies
  • Religion and the Arts Book Award
  • Best Work in Textual or Historical Studies
  • Best Work in the Study of Practices, Communities, or Lived Contexts
  • Best Work in Theoretical, Philosophical, or Critical Studies
  • Best Work in Applied, Public, or Pedagogical Approaches

Jurors serve on just one of those six juries.

Jurors typically read five to seven shortlisted books over the summer.

Meeting Schedule

Virtual meeting in summer via Zoom

Timeline of Activities

  • Early March : Online library of submissions available to each jury’s chair. Chairs may use this library, which includes full publication information (with book description/abstract) to make a first round of cuts if they wish.
  • April: Jury chairs provide their shortlists of 5 to 7 books. AAR contacts publishers to have review copies sent to the remaining jurors.
  • May through August: Juries read shortlisted titles, and the chair arranges deliberations with jurors in whatever format they wish. AAR can provide tele- or videoconference services.
  • August 31: Chair notifies AAR of the winner with a short supporting brief.

Jury Members

  • Term of Service: Two years, renewable once for an additional two-year term (Prior to 2018: Four years, non-renewable)
  • Jury Composition: Six juries of up to four members each

Staff Contact

Amy Defibaugh

Tiauna Lewis

Committee Leadership

Best First Book in Religious Studies

Anna Sun (1/1/2024 – 12/31/2025), Chair
Maria Doerfler (1/1/2025 – 12/31/2028), Jury Member
Jason Sexton (1/1/2025-12/31/2026), Jury Member
Alexis Wells-Oghoghomeh (1/1/2025 – 12/31/2028), Jury Member

Religion and the Arts Book Award

Lucinda Mosher  (1/1/2025 – 12/31/2025), Chair
Ronald Bernier (1/1/2025 – 12/31/2028), Jury Member
Jessica B. Davenport (1/1/2023 – 12/31/2026), Jury Member
John Modern (1/1/2025 – 12/31/2028), Jury Member
Archana Venkatesan (1/1/2024-12/31/2027), Jury Member

Best Work in Textual and Historical Studies

Emily Bailey (1/1/2025 – 12/31/2026), Co-Chair
Fatemeh Keshavarz (1/1/2024 – 12/31/2026), Co-Chair
Mary Dunn (1/1/2025 – 12/31/2026), Jury Member
Ahmad Greene-Hayes,  (1/1/2025 – 12/31/2026), Jury Member
Gloria Maité Hernández (1/1/2025 – 12/31/2026), Jury Member
Mona Hassan (1/1/2024 – 12/31/2027), Jury Member
Daniel Picus (1/1/2025 – 12/31/2028), Jury Member
Valerie Bridgeman (1/1/2024 – 12/31/2025), Jury Member

Best Work in the Study of Practices, Communities, or Lived Contexts

Charles McCrary (1/1/2025 – 12/31/2026), Chair
Courtney Lamberth (1/1/2024 – 12/31/2025), Jury Member
Elaine Pena (1/1/2024 – 12/31/2025), Jury Member
J Barton Scott (1/1/2025 – 12/31/2028), Jury Member

Best Work in Theoretical, Philosophical, or Critical Studies

Douglas S. Duckworth (1/1/2023 – 12/31/2026), Chair
Jason Ananda Josephson Storm, (1/1/2025 – 12/31/2028), Jury Member
Michelle Voss (1/1/2024 – 12/31/2027), Jury Member
Rizwan Zamir (1/1/2025 – 12/31/2028), Jury Member

Best Work in Applied, Public, or Pedagogical Approaches

Molly Bassett (1/1/2026 -12/31/2029), Chair
Richard Newton (1/1/2026 – 12/31/2029), Jury Member
TBD (1/1/2026-12/31/2028), Jury Member
TBD (1/1/2026-12/31/2027), Jury Member