Introduction and Aims

ISREV is an association of researching and publishing religious education scholars who meet in session every other year. These biennial sessions have been taking place since 1978, mostly in Europe and North America, although many members come from other parts of the world. In addition, members use an email list for the exchange of information and opinions, and they have a private secure section of this website. The Aims of ISREV are listed below.

The biennial sessions are basically for the members; although there is provision for a limited number of guests to be invited to a particular session. These may be family or friends of participating members, or academic or professional persons whose work is relevant to that session. Full members may invite their research students, under arrangements described in the ISREV Membership Procedures (Word document). At these sessional gatherings, approximately 100 papers are presented during the week, in plenary meetings and in smaller collegial groups. Selected papers from each session have been published in book form since 1998. ISREV has also stimulated other Publications by members.

ISREV is not a faith-based or an inter-faith association, but an organisation promoting high quality religious education research. There is no religious basis of membership; individual members belong to various religious traditions or to none. All members pay the subscription, which is collected in advance for the next two years at the time of each session. ISREV is a registered charity in England and Wales.

Membership in the Seminar proceeds in two stages. New members are designated as Associate Members, and after some time when certain academic conditions are met, they may be voted into full membership. Full Members may nominate appropriately qualified religious education scholars to be considered as Associate Members. Membership of ISREV is by peer review. The academic work of the proposed new members is reviewed at the time when they are nominated, and again when full membership is being considered. Click here for a full statement of the ISREV Membership Procedures (Word document).  (Nomination forms can only be accessed from the Members’ Information page.)

Annual meetings of the members and of the Trustees and Executive Committee take place at the biennial sessions, and in England in the intervening years. At each biennial session, the members elect the office bearers and other Trustees of the association, who together form the Executive Committee for the next two years. The academic work of the Seminar, including the preparation for the programme of each session, is managed by the Programme Committee, whose Chair is an elected Trustee.

Beginning with fewer than 40 members in 1978, ISREV has grown steadily over the years, and is now passing into a period of rapidly growing membership and influence. ISREV is recognised as the major international research body comprising academic and professional specialists in this field. Details of the founding of ISREV, and about the first two Sessions, including original documents, can be seen on the History page.