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Benefits of Joining the AAR

The AAR serves as the largest learned society dedicated to the academic study of religion. Through the AAR's many programs and services, members from around the world can connect at in-person events, through online communities, and as volunteer leaders on committees, task forces, and juries.

Networking

For more than a century, the AAR has convened scholars of religion for discussion, collaboration, and professional development. The AAR's in-person events bring together scholars from around the world for presentations and critique, workshops, and conversation with publishers. Scholars can also engage through the AAR member directory and online communities.

Annual Meeting

AAR members receive deep discounts on registration fees for the Annual Meeting, which is held in a major US city every November. The program often includes more than 500 sessions with presentations by AAR members, plenary sessions with leaders in the field, and an Exhibit Hall that gathers hundreds of academic publishers in one meeting space.

Regional Meetings

For many scholars, meetings organized by the AAR's ten regions can provide deeper engagement and benefits than those of the much larger Annual Meeting. Regional meetings offer greater local accessibility for members, more opportunities for academic exchange across sub-field specializations, and ready access to graduate students for presentations of their work.

Member Directory

Through the AAR's member directory and online communities, members can engage in conversation, share resources and search for other scholars by research area, institution, or involvement in the AAR.

Member Promotion

Current members can see their professional accomplishments—such as prizes, major publications, media mentions, and other milestones—promoted through the AAR's official communication channels. The AAR shares these member-submitted notes on social media, the main AAR website, and quarterly newsletters dedicated to highlighting the diverse work of AAR members.

Volunteer Leadership

Serving on a committee, task force, or jury offers meaningful opportunities to connect with scholars who share similar interests or expertise. Becoming a volunteer leader also helps advance the AAR's work and strengthen the overall membership.

IAHR Membership

Because the AAR is a member of the International Association for the History of Religions (IAHR), all AAR members enjoy the privileges of IAHR membership as well, including registration discounts for the IAHR World Congress and eligibility to receive travel grants.

Career Resources

AAR members enjoy access to numerous career resources, including a job board, online training for job seekers, funding opportunities for research projects and travel to the Annual Meeting, and promotion of professional accomplishments through official AAR channels.

Online Training for Job Seekers

Through a partnership with Beyond the Professoriate, the AAR offers members access to Aurora, an e-learning platform designed to help scholars pursue careers within and outside academia. Aurora offers webinars, forums, classes, and quizzes on topics such as interview skills, resume writing, and networking, among many others.

Job Board

Current AAR members can search employment listings on the job board managed jointly by the AAR and the Society of Biblical Literature. New postings are added regularly, including faculty positions, editorial jobs, administration openings, and ministerial roles.

Grant Programs

The AAR maintains several grant programs for members. Eligible applicants can seek funding for regional development grants, travel grants to attend the AAR Annual Meeting, public engagement fellowships and seed grants, and research grants for international dissertation work, collaboration with other scholars, and individual projects.

Publications

Members enjoy online access to the Journal of the American Academy of Religion and a significant discount on books from Oxford University Press. The AAR also has partnerships with JSTOR and academic presses to help members without strong library privileges continue their research.

Access to JAAR

AAR membership includes online access to current and archived issues of the Journal of the American Academy of Religion, the premier academic journal in religious studies. Each issue also contains a large and valuable book review section.

JSTOR Religious Studies Collection

Access to JSTOR's Religious Studies Collection comes with every AAR membership. JSTOR updates its collections on an annual basis, with the current list of journals nearing 150.

Publication Discounts

AAR's partner in publishing, Oxford University Press, offers members a 30% discount on academic and trade books across all disciplines. AAR members also receive 35% off journals from Penn State Press, including 50% off a subscription to the Journal of Africana Religions, as well as discounts on journals from Cambridge University Press, among others.