The North American Association for the Study of Religion (NAASR) was initially formed in 1985 by E. Thomas Lawson, Luther H. Martin, and Donald Wiebe, to encourage the historical, comparative, structural, theoretical, and cognitive approaches to the study of religion among North American scholars; to represent North American scholars of religion at the international level; and to sustain communication between North American scholars and their international colleagues engaged in the study of religion.
NAASR is incorporated as a nonprofit in the state of Vermont.
A brief history of NAASR, written by Luther H. Martin and Donald Wiebe, can be found here.
If you have any questions or want to contact us for any reason, please email the Executive Secretary, Andrew Durdin at naasr.religion (at) gmail.com.
Current NAASR Officers
PresidentCraig Martin, St. Thomas Aquinas College (2024-2026)Vice PresidentK. Merinda Simmons, University of Alabama (2024-2026)Executive Secretary/TreasurerAndrew Durdin, Florida State University (2022-2026) Councilors Robyn Faith Walsh, University of Miami (2026) Lauren Horn Griffin, Louisiana State University (2026) Jeremy Posadas, Austin College (2024) Vaia Touna, University of Alabama (2024) Rita Lester, Nebraska Wesleyan University (2025) Carmen Becker, Leibniz University (2025) Mitsutoshi Horii, Shumei University (ex officio as co-editor of MTSR) Leslie Dorrough Smith, Avila University (ex officio as editor of Key Thinkers) K. Merinda Simmons, University of Alabama (ex officio as editor of Concepts) Emily D. Crews, University of Chicago (ex officio as editor of NAASR Working Papers)Former NAASR Officers
Rebekka King, Middle Tennessee State University (2021-2023)Brad Stoddard, McDaniel College (President 2017-2020)Russell T. McCutcheon, University of Alabama (President, 2014-2017) Naomi Goldenberg (President, 2013-2014)William Arnal (President, 2011-2013)Willi Braun (President, 2008-2011)Tomoko Masuzawa (President, 2005-2008)Greg Alles (President, 2002-2005)Jonathan Z. Smith (President, 1996-2002)Rosalind Hackett (President, 1993-94) Dennis James Lorusso, University of North Florida (2021-2023)Rebekka King, Middle Tennessee State University (2017-2020)Aaron Hughes, University of Rochester (Vice President (2014-2017)Christopher Lehrich (Vice President, 2011-2014)Winnifred Fallers Sullivan (Vice President, 2009-2011)Bryan Rennie (Vice President, 2006-2009)Julie Ingersoll (Vice President, 2003-2006)William Arnal (Vice President, 2000-2003) Martha Smith Roberts, Fullerton College (Executive Secretary, 2017-2021)Brad Stoddard, McDaniel College (Executive Secretary, 2016-2017)Craig Martin (Executive Secretary, 2011-2016)Robert Yelle (Executive Secretary, 2007-2011)Russell T. McCutcheon (Executive Secretary, 2004-2007)Gary Lease (Executive Secretary, 1995-2004)Governance Documents
naasr.com 