McDonald Centre Annual Conference 2026 | Reimagining Humanism

Reimagining Humanism: Religious Humanisms as Frameworks for Building a Common Life in a Fractured World

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June 11-13, 2026 | Christ Church, University of Oxford

Join us for the McDonald Centre's 2026 Annual Conference as we explore how religious humanisms can address our fractured world's most pressing ethical and political challenges.

About This Conference

Since ancient times, humanism has challenged boundaries of citizenship and identity. Yet modern humanism became associated with secular philosophies and, critics argue, aligned with colonial domination. Today, scholars are recovering humanism's diverse religious forms across multiple global traditions, from the abolition movement to humanitarian initiatives to anti-apartheid struggles.

This conference examines religious traditions of humanism as points of connection between divergent frameworks. We focus particularly on how Christian humanism intersects with Jewish and Islamic humanisms, tracing their entangled histories and contemporary expressions in democratic movements.

Key Questions

Can theologically grounded humanisms offer analytical and constructive frameworks for:

• Ordering our common life nationally and internationally?
• Peacefully negotiating pluralism?
• Providing alternatives to ethnoreligious nationalism and civilizational chauvinism?

What to Expect

• Academic presentations from distinguished international scholars
• Panel discussions with practitioners building interfaith bridges
• Exploration of democratic organizing, civic trust-building, and conflict transformation
• Papers published in a special issue of the Journal of Religious Ethics

Distinguished Speakers

• Slavica Jakelić - Richard P. Baepler Distinguished Professor in the Humanities, Valparaiso University
• Randi Rashkover - Nathan and Sofia Gumenick Chair of Judaic Studies, William & Mary
• Eric Gregory - Professor and Director of Graduate Studies, Department of Religion, Princeton University
• Ufuk Topkara - Professor of Comparative Theology from an Islamic Perspective, Humboldt University of Berlin
• Joshua Hordern - Professor of Christian Ethics, University of Oxford
• Aaron Stalnaker - Professor of Religious Studies, Indiana University
• Chammah Kaunda - Academic Dean, Oxford Centre for Mission Studies

Building on Success

This conference follows our 2025 gathering, "Christian Humanism and the Black Atlantic," which examined Paul Gilroy's concept of "reparative humanism" and attracted capacity attendance.

Who Should Attend

• Scholars of theology, ethics, and religious studies
• Graduate students researching humanism, pluralism, or political theology
• Practitioners in interfaith work and democratic organizing
• Anyone interested in how religious traditions can contribute to civic renewal

Ticket Costs

• Public lecture (11 June): Free entry
• Regular delegate fee: £60
• Student delegate fee: £20
• Concession delegate fee: £20

Deadline to register is 26 May 2026.

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This event is organised by the McDonald Centre for Theology, Public Life and Ethics based in the Faculty of Theology, University of Oxford. By registering for this event, you consent to the McDonald Centre for Theology, Ethics, and Public Life contacting you with conference-related information, including payment details and event updates. Your data will be used solely for this purpose and will not be shared with third parties. You can withdraw your consent at any time by contacting [email protected].

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Host or Publisher Faculty of Theology and Religion