Join us for intellectual exchange and informed critical debate among University of Toronto faculty and students researching the role of religion in public life. We are examining how religion manifests in public spaces, institutions, and interactions, and thinking about the challenges and possibilities of religious diversity in Toronto and around the globe.
Located in the Department for the Study of Religion at the University of Toronto, our purpose is to cultivate interdisciplinary conversations about religion, politics, and the secular, and provide opportunities for greater intellectual exchange and informed critical debate among University of Toronto faculty and students researching the role of religion in public life. With a yearly theme shaping our programs, we provide scholarly resources for examining how religion manifests in public spaces, institutions, and interactions, and more specifically for understanding the challenges and possibilities of religious diversity in Toronto and around the globe. Our public events and partnerships help us convey and discuss this research with audiences outside the University.
The Religious Diversity Youth Leadership Project
Launching in 2012, RDYL is looking for teachers and high school students in the Toronto area who want to think and act creatively about how to forge relationships among diverse communities, to work against exclusion and marginalization, and to raise awareness about how religious diversity is connected to Canadian values. If you are a world religions teacher and know high school students with an interest in how religious diversity is shaping Canadian public life and who want to develop the skills to be community leaders who work for positive change, then get in touch! Email us, or join our mailing list to keep abreast of developments as they happen. (We never pass your details on to any third party. Ever.)
What We Do
- Annual Public Forum with distinguished panelists discussing the annual theme
- Research Fellows
- RPS Interchange: Conversations with artists, scholars, policymakers and professionals who address religion in their work
- RPS Service-Learning Course for upper-year undergraduates: community service plus theory and critical thought
- Lunchtime Reading Group and Blog for informal discussion of must-read works
Who and Where We Are
The Religion in the Public Sphere Initiative facilitates the gathering of faculty, students and the public into several research communities, and RPS activities are supported by our extensive partnerships throughout the university. The Initiative is Directed by Associate Professor Pamela Klassen. In 2010-11, the Acting Director was Prof. Frances Garrett. From Summer 2011 onwards, the Initiative will be run by a Program Committee.
Department for the Study of Religion
University of Toronto
Jackman Humanities Building, Room 311
170 St. George St.
Toronto, ON M5R 2M8
(416) 978-2615
religion.publicsphere@utoronto.ca
