The ASH research group ‘The Study of Religion(s) and Esotericism’ has as its aim organising lectures and events in the multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary field of the academic study of religion(s) and esoteric currents. Core activity is the Research Master lecture seminar-series ‘Current Issues in Religious Studies and Esotericism’ (for this year’s programme, see below). Another goal is the organization of theme discussions with a guest speaker introducing the topic on, for example, ‘Religion and Spirituality – two sides of a coin?’, ‘Ethnography as a Method’, and ‘Insiders and Outsiders in the study of religion(s)’.

The ASH research group ‘The Study of Religion(s) and Esotericism’ can be joined by individual researchers and is open to collaboration with other research groups. We already collaborate with two research groups: First, The Abrahamic Entanglements Project led by Dr Dylan Burns and Dr Liana Saif. Second, The Religion and Decoloniality reading group, led by Dr Dženita Karić, which is organized in cooperation with Kazan, Cairo, Cordoba (soon to be Global Islam) group (for more information, see below). There are plans develop an online Amsterdam-Warburg reading group on The Occult Sciences and Esoteric Traditions led by Dr Liana Saif and Professor Charles Burnett and a Tarot Exhibition by Dr Peter Forshaw and Dr Tessel Bauduin in Huis van het Boek in The Hague.

Programme Current Issues in Religious Studies and Esotericism 2025 2026

22 September 2025: Corey Andrews, ‘Pansophy, Alchemy, and Secret Symbols in 18th Century Rosicrucianism’ (Ritman Library, Keizersgracht 123, Grote Zaal)

13 October 2025: Greta Huis, ‘I'm a Drug User, But a Decent One! Religion and Norms and Values in the Life Stories of Persons at the Amsterdam Drug Scene’ (OMHP A0.09)

10 November 2025: Dženita Karić (UvA), ‘What Makes a Dessert 'Islamic'? Food as an Agentic Force’ (OMHP C0.23)

8 December 2025: Ernst van den Hemel (Meertens Instituut/Utrecht University), ‘Immersed in Media Res: Studying Religion in Theme Parks’ (OMHP C0.23)

16 February 2026: Daniella Zaidman-Mauer (UvA), ‘Prayers, Potions, and Protective Charms: Healing in Early Modern Yiddish Remedy Books’ (OMHP A0.08)

*9 March 2026: Joachim Gentz (University of Edinburgh), ‘The One and the Many in the Laozi: A Threefold Relationship’ (OMHP A0.08)

*13 April 2026: Alexandra Bergholm (University of Helsinki), ‘Contested Concepts in the Study of 'Celtic Shamanism'’ (OMHP A0.08)

                 * Sponsored by the Amsterdam School of Historical Studies

Programme of The Abrahamic Entanglements project

(Startersbeurs Dylan Burns & Liana Saif)

29 April 2025 (UB, Doelenzaal): Dr. Michele Scarlassara (Ca’ Foscari University of Venice), “Spells for a Good Singing Voice: Magic, Liturgy, Divination, and Monastic Lore in Late Antique Egypt” (co-sponsored by the Amsterdam Late Antiquity Network)

14 October 2025 (OMHP): Dr. Flavio Bevacqua (Università degli Studi di Padova), “The ‘Anonymous Philosopher’: The Metaphysics of Nature and Cosmic Epistemology in Late Greek Alchemy” (co-sponsored by the student association HHP)

27 November 2025 (Bushuis): Dr. Ivan Miroshnikov (Universitet i Oslo), “Imaginary Jerusalem in the Coptic Eudoxia Legend”

Forthcoming spring 2026: Salam Rassi (University of Edinburgh) on Syriac literature

The Abrahamic Entanglements Projects plans to organise two or three lectures per year, a workshop in 2027, and a conference in 2028.

 

The Religion and Decoloniality reading group, led by Dr Dženita Karić

The Decoloniality and Religion Reading Group explores key ideas that have shaped decolonial studies over recent decades, with particular attention to the underexplored relationship between decoloniality and religion. While religion has often been examined as a factor in historical colonial processes, it has also functioned as a resource for resistance and liberation. This reading group aims to bring decolonial studies into sustained conversation with Religious Studies in order to critically examine these tensions and possibilities.

We meet once every two months and engage with a wide range of interdisciplinary readings to assess how decolonial approaches can expand existing debates on religion, knowledge, history, and materiality. During the current academic year, we have focused on two major themes: history, decoloniality, and the role of religion, through readings of Dipesh Chakrabarty and Abdolkader Tayob; and decoloniality, land, and spirituality, engaging with the work of Max Liboiron and Mohammed Meziane. Our next meeting will focus on decoloniality and knowledge, where we will discuss indigenous knowledge and spirituality.

Members

Jacqueline Borsje (coordinator)
Dylan Burns
Peter Forshaw
Wouter Hanegraaff
Carolina Ivanescu
Dženita Karić
Johanneke Kroesbergen-Kamps
Mriganka Mukhopadhyay
Ulrike Popp Baier (Guest researcher)
Steven Schouten
Liana Saif
Gerard Wiegers

 

PhD-students:

Corey Andrews
Tjalling Janssen
Junia Kattrup
Brennan Kettelle
John MacMurphy
Dell Rose