Expert Meeting on "Creativity and Innovation in Religion", 29-31 January
Between 29-31 of January 2025 was held Expert Meeting organised in collaboration with (and co-funded by) the Catholic University of America through a Templeton Religion Trust grant awarded to Brandon Vaidyanathan, Professor of Sociology and Director of the Institutional Flourishing Lab in the Catholic University of America.
The seminar explored the role of creativity and innovation in religions. By bringing together scholars from diverse disciplines—sociology, theology, history of religion, and psychology—the seminar fostered a comprehensive examination of how creative processes shape religious beliefs, rituals, and institutions. Over the course of three days, invited speakers presented insights from their respective fields, discussing how creativity and innovation are defined and how these processes contribute to the development and transformation of religious traditions and beliefs. Each presentation was followed by discussions, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and encouraging participants to draw connections across different academic perspectives.
The insights gained from this conversation contributed to a deeper understanding of how religion adapts and transforms in response to changing cultural, social, and intellectual landscapes (and vice versa).
INVITED SPEAKERS
1. Emily Reed BURDETT (University of Nottingham, UK; Psychology)
2. Stefania PALMISANO (University of Turin, Italy; Sociology)
3. Claudio TAGLIAPIETRA (Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, Rome; Theology)
4. Todd THRASH (William & Mary University, Virginia, USA; Psychology
