Annual Conference (CFP)

 Sacred Journeys 14th Global Conference: Tangier, Morocco

We invite proposals for the 14th annual Sacred Journeys conference on pilgrimage studies in Tangier, Morocco from July 5-8, 2027. Presentations from all academic disciplines and interdisciplinary approaches are welcomed.

Call for Papers

Pilgrimage is one of the most ancient practices of humankind and is associated with a great variety of religious and spiritual traditions, beliefs and sacred geographies. As a global phenomenon, pilgrimage facilitates interaction between diverse peoples from countless cultures, occupations, and walks of life. In the 14th Global Conference, we will continue to explore pilgrimage’s personal, interpersonal, intercultural, and interconfessional dimensions. This includes similarities and differences in the practice in Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, Taoism, and other traditions, as well as secular pilgrimage. The impact of the internet and globalization, pilgrimage as protest, and pilgrimage and peace building, among others, are all topics of interest, as are the concepts of the internal pilgrimage and the journey of self-discovery. Other topics include: (1) pilgrimage and the marketplace (2) the metaphor of life’s journey as explored by writers, artists, performers, and singers, including humanists and agnostics (3) pilgrimage and ‘miracles’ and the related topic of thanksgiving (4) ‘dark’ pilgrimages (5) the use and misuse of the term pilgrimage. Also of interest are pilgrimage and decolonization, pilgrimage and nationalism/militarism, Indigenous pilgrimage, and pilgrimage towards healing and reconciliation. The list of potential topics is endless.

Submitting Your Abstract

Abstracts (300 words) including name, affiliation, title and keywords (Subject line SJ14 Abstract), should be submitted by February 15, 2027 to:

Ian McIntosh, ismcintosh@hotmail.com

Éric Laliberté eric.laliberte.3@ulaval.ca

Kerry Adams (Host) kadams3455@gmail.com

Evaluating Your Proposal

Abstracts addressing the conference themes will be double-blind peer reviewed and you will be notified of a decision no later than March 1, 2027. If accepted, you will be asked to register online. The registration fee is $300 US. For students and observers the fee is $200. Grants are available in special circumstances.

Publishing Your Work

Submitting a draft paper of no more than 7000 words by June 15, 2027 is recommended if you intend to publish. We have an established linkage with the International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage. If there are sufficient papers on a single theme or group of themes, we can consider a book proposal to CABI or Peter Lang.

Additional Information Visit the Sacred Journeys website at www.sacredjourneysnetwork.org for additional details on past conferences, publications, and testimonials.