Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches 2010 - Cokesbury

5. Sources of Religion-Related Research
I. Directory of Selected Research Organizations
The editorial office of the Yearbook of American & Canadian Churches receives innumerable
requests for data about churches, religious organizations, attendance patterns, and comparative religion
concerns. Sometimes we are able to furnish the requested data, but more often we refer the
inquirer to other research colleagues in the field. We are always interested in and aided by such
requests, and we find ourselves informed by each question.
In response to such inquiries, the “Sources in Religion-Related Research” directory was initiated
in the 1999 edition of the Yearbook In addition to asking each organization to provide a brief overall
description, each was also asked to indicate any special research foci (i.e. denominational, congregational,
interfaith, gender, etc.). Further, each organization is asked to identify the sociological,
methodological, or theological approaches that serve to guide their research, and to describe any
current or recent research projects. Lastly, we asked for a list of recurrent publications. Below the
organizations’ responses to these questions are reported as clearly and completely as is possible.
Contact information appears just beneath the title of each organization. In most cases, the organization’s
website provides very detailed information about current research projects.
Numerous other research centers in the area of American religious life, each with specific areas
of concern, conduct timely and significant research. We hope that readers will find utility in this
directory and we invite them to identify additional sources by email: yearbook@ncccusa.org or by
Fax: (212) 870-2817.
American Academy of Religion (AAR)
AAR Executive Office
825 Houston Mill Rd., Ste. 300
Atlanta, GA 30329
Tel. (404)727-7920
Fax (404)727-7959
Email: aar@aarweb.org
Website: www.aarweb.org
President: Dr. Diana Eck
Exec. Dir.: Dr. John Fitzmier
The AAR is the major learned society and professional association for scholars whose object of
study is religion. Its mission— in a world where religion plays so central a role in social, political
and economic events, as well as in the lives of communities and individuals— is to meet a critical
need for ongoing reflection upon and understanding of religious traditions, issues, questions and
values. As a learned society and professional association of teachers and research scholars, the
American Academy of Religion has over 8500 members who teach in some 1,500 colleges, universities,
seminaries, and schools in North America and abroad. The Academy is dedicated to furthering
knowledge of religion and religious institutions in all their forms and manifestations. This
is accomplished through Academy-wide and regional conferences and meetings, publications, programs,
and membership services. Within a context of free inquiry and critical examination, the
Academy welcomes all disciplined reflection on religion— both from within and outside of communities
of belief and practice— and seeks to enhance its broad public understanding.
The AAR’s annual meeting, over 8,000 scholars gather to share research and collaborate on
scholarly projects. The annual meeting sessions are grouped into over 70 program units, each representing
an ongoing community of scholars who are collectively engaged in pursuing knowledge
about a specific religious tradition or a specific aspect of religion. In addition, the AAR’s ten
regional organizations sponsor smaller annual meetings that are similar in structure to the
Academy-wide meeting. All of the world’s major religious traditions, as well as indigenous and
historical religions, are explored in the work of AAR members.
SOURCES
Current or Recent Research
Currently, for example, the AAR offers Teaching Workshops for both junior and senior scholars.
It is organizing efforts to gather data on the field to facilitate departmental planning and funding.
A full explanation of the many current research projects is available on the AAR website, which is
listed above.
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