As part of its recently released Strategic Plan, which includes new programs and initiatives that bring scholars together to make discoveries in the field and to share original research and scholarship with relevant local, national, and global communities, the Boniuk Institute held its inaugural Spring Convening on Religious Pluralism and Conflict on Rice University campus. Leading scholars from eleven different nations and numerous disciplines came together to ideate a forward-looking research agenda to identify the conditions that lead to religious pluralism and robust tolerance – as well as intolerance – to change lives and communities through interdisciplinary research
By convening scholars from across disciplines, the Boniuk Institute aims to bring together the best knowledge, research methods and practices through “academic hospitality,” said Institute director Elaine Howard Ecklund. “We gather you all here because each of you has an interest in these critical topics, in particular religious pluralism and religious diversity.” Ramamoorthy Ramesh, Rice University executive vice president for research, explained how, as a research university, Rice utilizes interdisciplinary work to tackle topics that effect people and communities.
Topics such as religious expression in the workplace, secular versus religious universities, the internet as a vehicle for both tolerance and intolerance, as well as how religiosity affects health equity were examined over the 3-day convening.
“We came together to discover more about what research already exists and what gaps there are that we can work toward addressing,” said Rachel Schneider, associate director of academic programs and director of the Religion and Public Life Center. “There are many different theologies, values and lifestyles in the world – how do we respect and protect one another while holding own to our own spiritual commitments? It was an incredibly productive three days and I look forward to continuing these important conversations.”