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International research into 'social imaginaries'

In our day and age, the ‘Grand Narratives’ have lost their credibility, yet the relationship between religion and secular society once again tops the agenda. How do people picture the meaning of their life in a globalised world? 

Description

Professors Laurens ten Kate and Hans Alma were awarded an NWO grant in 2017 to develop a new international consortium for the purpose of researching what are known as 'social imaginaries'. 


Scholars from the USA and Europe are jointly fleshing out the project titled ‘Social Imaginaries between Secularity and Religion in a Globalizing World’. The consortium, titled SIMAGINE, is headed by Prof. Ten Kate. Philosopher Laurens ten Kate is endowed professor of liberal religion and humanism, , a chair sponsored by the Stichting Stimulering Vrijzinnig Gedachtegoed (foundation for the promotion of liberal religiosity). Hans Alma currently works at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel.

(Co-)financing

The research is funded by NWO.

Researchers

Alse see

Ten Kate’s inaugural lecture (11 May 2016), De vreemde vrijheid. Nieuwe betekenissen van vrijzinnigheid en humanisme in de 21ste eeuw (Uitgeverij Sjibbolet, Amsterdam) offers a further outline of SIMAGINE’s research field. De Gruyter Publishers in Berlin recently published Hans Alma’s Social Imaginaries in a Globalizing World.

The ‘Grand Narratives’ have lost their credibility, yet the relationship between religion and secular society once again tops the agenda. How do people picture the meaning of their life in a globalised world?