Creative Approaches to Researching Religion in the City

Three-session panel at the American Association of Geographers Annual Conference 2016 in San Francisco, USA.

The concept of religion is a complex term inextricably tied to similarly complex notions of identity, nationality and migration. Recent research has sought a deeper understanding of those urban settings where different faith and migrant communities cohabit. Thus, the study of religion in the city requires an open, creative and participatory approach in order to gain a nuanced understanding of the dynamics of faith in urban space.

In recent years, the social sciences have adopted new creative approaches to researching religion in the city. This includes socially engaged arts practices using a range of disciplines such as drawing, photography, film-making, music, performance, installation, etc. This panel seeks to address creative methodological approaches to researching religion in the modern, transmigratory, interfaith city: What are effective approaches to creatively researching religion? How can creative approaches to researching religion help us better understand the multi-faith city? In which ways can religion and creative practice be merged in order to form a better understanding of both? What are some of the ethical issues involved in the use of a creative approach?

Session 1: Creative Approaches to Researching Religion in the City - Embodied practices and narratives of everyday religion.

Session 2: Creative Approaches to Researching Religion in the City - Exploring faith through participatory public-engagement art.

Session 3:Creative Approaches to Researching Religion in the City - Negotiating difference and urban space