ANNUAL MEETING NEWS

Download the Annual Meetings Program Book!
You can now download an Adobe PDF of the entire Annual Meetings Program Book! The Online Annual Meetings Program Book is available on the AAR web site for all members. See what is coming this November!

You must be registered for the Annual Meetings by September 15 to receive the Program Book. (Note: Previously, a print Program Planner was sent to all AAR members regardless of Annual Meetings registration status; this year, you must be registered receive a print Program Book. The online version is available to everyone.)

September 15 — Deadline for Advance Registration Rate
Advance rates end after September 15! Register today to get the best rates. You must be registered to secure housing. AAR has secured great room rates at beautiful Chicago hotels; housing is going fast. Register TODAY!

Women's Mentoring Luncheon — Registration Is Open!
The Status of Women in the Profession Committee, Status of Racial and Ethnic Minorities in the Profession Committee, and the Women's Caucus invite women who are graduate students and new scholars to a luncheon on Sunday, November 18, at the Annual Meeting. An annual event, the luncheon invites women to meet with womanist, feminist, and LGBTIQ midcareer and senior scholars such as Judith Plaskow, Traci West, Namsoon Kang, and Grace Kim. Women will have the opportunity to mentor and be mentored in a context where every question is valued. The lunch costs $10 per person; sorry, no refunds. Registration is limited to 100. Click here to register.

Employment Center — Registration for Job Candidates and Employers Is Open!
The Employment Center, sponsored by the AAR and SBL, is open for candidates through the Annual Meetings registration system. Employers can register through the AAR and SBL job advertisement submission websites. The deadline to preregister for both candidates and employers is October 24, 2012. Register early to receive full benefits.

AWARDS

AAR Excellence in Teaching Award — Nominations
The Teaching and Learning Committee seeks nominations for the AAR Award for Excellence in Teaching. Nominations of winners of campus awards, or any other awards, are encouraged. Procedures for the nomination process are outlined on the AAR website. The deadline for nominations is October 1, 2012.

2012–2013 International Dissertation Research Grants — Deadline December 1
The 2012–2013 International Dissertation Research Grants applications process is open. These annual grants, designed to support AAR student members whose dissertation research requires them to travel outside of the country in which their school or university is located, are intended to help candidates complete their doctoral degrees by offsetting costs of travel, lodging, and other dissertation research-related expenses. The application deadline is December 1.

ACADEMIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE SEEKS REVIEWER

The AAR's Academic Relations Committee is expanding its list of reserve persons competent to serve as external referees for religion and religious studies units pursuing program reviews. The Committee invites nominations (including self-nominations) of persons open to serving in such a capacity. Nomination materials should include: 1) A brief statement indicating reasons for interest in serving, and types of institutions the nominee is qualified to review; 2) Curriculum vitae; and 3) A short narrative affirming: (a) administrative experience as a department chair, program director, dean or dean's equivalent; (b) at least five years of AAR membership in good standing; and (c) familiarity with the Academy’s program review resources online at the AAR website.

Persons with previous experience leading a departmental or program self-study, serving as an external reviewer for another department or program, and/or serving on a regional or national accreditation team are especially needed.

Letters of interest and supporting materials should be submitted by October 10, 2012, for consideration at the committee's November AAR meeting. Approved reviewers will be notified by December 31. All approved names will be added to the current listing of potential program reviewers. Service as a program reviewer is subject to selection from the reserve list by departments preparing for reviews. Address letters of interest to Stephanie Gray at the AAR office in Atlanta.

IN THE FIELD ANNOUNCEMENTS

Are you interested in the latest happenings in the field of religion? Would you like to post an announcement of an event, award competition, or other news of importance in the field? In the Field is your resource for news of events and opportunities for scholars of religion and theological education, published online by the AAR.

ACADEMIC ABBY: Professional Advice from Your Colleagues

Do you have a question about life in academe that you are at a loss to answer by yourself but don't feel you can approach your colleagues with it? Ask Academic Abby! Academic Abby is able to answer questions large and small, from dealing with faculty dilemmas, to tenure issues, to work/life balance troubles. Questions can be submitted anonymously through an online form. Members of the AAR Status of Women in the Profession Committee will respond to each question received. The question and answer will be posted on the Status of Women in the Profession web page and issues of Religious Studies News.

ASK THE DIVA

If you are experiencing issues of special concern to LGBTIQ scholars of religion, the Diva can help! What questions do you have about graduate school, career development, teaching, etc.? Questions can be submitted anonymously through an online form. Members of the LGBTIQ Persons in the Profession Committee will respond. Your confidentiality is assured; the answers can be e-mailed to you privately if you wish. With your permission, the questions and answers will be posted anonymously in Religious Studies News.

1. Annual Meeting News
2. AAR Awards
3. Seeking Academic Relations Committee Reviewer
4. In the Field Announcements
5. Academic Abby
6. Ask the Diva
7. Member Notes

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