Duties and Responsibilities

Book Award jurors participate in the following:

  • The Book Awards consist of six categories: four award categories in the Awards for Excellence in the Study of Religion, one award for the Best First Book in the History of Religions, and the Religion and the Arts Book Award. Jurors serve on just one of those six juries.
  • Jurors will read five to seven shortlisted books over the summer.

Meeting Schedule

Virtual meeting in summer via Zoom

Timeline of Activities

  • Late February: 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.
  • Mid-March: Books identified as second-round picks by the chairs are mailed to them.
  • 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

Awards for Excellence in the Study of Religion

Analytical-Descriptive Studies

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

Constructive-Reflective 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

Historical Studies

Emily Bailey (1/1/2025 – 12/31/2026), Chair
Mary Dunn (1/1/2025 – 12/31/2026), Jury Member
Mona Hassan (1/1/2024 – 12/31/2027), Jury Member
TBD  (1/1/2025 – 12/31/2026), Jury Member

Textual Studies

Fatemeh Keshavarz (1/1/2024 – 12/31/2026), Chair
Daniel Picus (1/1/2025 – 12/31/2028), Jury Member
Gloria Maité Hernández (1/1/2025 – 12/31/2026), Jury Member
Valerie Bridgeman (1/1/2024 – 12/31/2025), Jury Member

Best First Book in the History of Religions

Anna Sun (1/1/2024 – 12/31/2025), Chair
Alexis Wells-Oghoghomeh (1/1/2025 – 12/31/2028), Jury Member
A. Azfar Moin (1/1/2025 – 12/31/2028), Jury Member
Jason Sexton (1/1/2025-12/31/2026), Jury Member

Religion and the Arts Book Award

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