International Network for the Study of Spirituality

The nature of INSS conferences

Our international biennial conferences are interdisciplinary and inter-professional, bringing together a broad range of researchers, scholars and practitioners from around the world who have interests in the theory and practice of spirituality. They are specifically designed to provide opportunities for hospitable conversations and the creation of syntheses across the international, academic and professional boundaries that often pose a challenge to the development of a 'joined-up' field of spirituality studies.

I

Image by Gerd Altmann, Pixabay

In his Opening Address at the launch of the British Association for the Study of Spirituality (BASS, now INSS) in January 2010, the then President, John Swinton, asked:

Why is it that everyone talks about spirituality in such different terms? Why is it that everyone seems to know what it is, yet no one seems to be able to offer a definitive description? Sometimes it is perceived as the manifestation of love; sometimes it is the search for hope, meaning and purpose; for some people it is about religion and God; others clearly and self-consciously want to exclude God and religion. How can we claim to have a coherent field of enquiry if those who are participating in the field appear to have no coherent understanding of what the central concept is?

Part of the ‘problem’ of spirituality is that it straddles different cultures, academic disciplines and professional contexts. Studies in and of the field draw on scientific and literary concepts, on quantitative and qualitative data, and on objective measures as well as subjective experiences. BASS came into being with the expressed intention of providing a forum where studies shaped by the diverse approaches and priorities of different cultures, perspectives and professional obligations might be brought together in the context of what Swinton referred to as ‘hospitable conversation’ in both ‘physical and conceptual’ spaces. You are warmly invited to participate in the ongoing conversations at the next INSS conference.

2010

SPIRITUALITY IN A CHANGING WORLD

FIRST International Conference

of the British Association for the Study of Spirituality,

 in association with the National Spirituality and Mental Health Forum

Tuesday 4 May – Thursday 6 May 2010

Cumberland Lodge, The Great Park, Windsor, UK

A two day conference exploring the relevance of spirituality for the socio-economic, political and cultural challenges of contemporary society

Keynote speakers

Linda Woodhead: Religion and spirituality: Never the twain shall meet?

Bob Neimeyer: Loss of meaning, crisis of faith

Rebecca Nye: Children and spirituality: everything to play for

 Josie Gregory: Maintaining the spirit in the world of work

Harold Koenig: Healthy lives? The spiritual challenge of 21st century health care

 Ursula King: Can spirituality transform our world?

Further information: 

Ursula King paper 

Conference report 

Flyer 

Keynote speakers 

Brochure 

2012

SPIRITUALITY IN A FRAGMENTED WORLD

SECOND International Conference

of the British Association for the Study of Spirituality

Tuesday 15 May – Thursday 17 May 2012

Highgate House, Northampton, UK

Keynote speakers

Spirituality & Politics:  Reverend Rose Hudson-Wilkin

(Chaplain to the House of Commons)

Spirituality & Health:  Chris Cook

 (Professor of Psychiatry, Durham University; Chair, Spirituality Special Interest Group, Royal College of Psychiatrists)

Spirituality & Religion:  Grace Davie

(Emeritus Professor of the Sociology of Religion - University of Exeter)

Spirituality & Ecology:  Sister Jayanti

  (European Director of Brahma Kumaris, World Spirituality University,

Spirituality, Humanity & Social Justice:  Paul Gilbert 

 (Professor of Psychology, University of Derby; Founder of ‘The Compassionate Mind Foundation’)

Further information:

Conference issue of JSS, with keynotes 

Conference report 

Higher Education SIG report 

Flyer 

Keynote speakers