Navigating the Divine: Bloomsbury Handbook of Religion and Assisted Reproductive Technologies
Editors Giulia Pedrucci (Università di Verona), Vladislav Serikov (Goethe-Universität Frankfurt)
Call for Papers
We invite submissions for the upcoming peer-reviewed edited volume titled “Navigating the Divine: The Bloomsbury Handbook of Religion and Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART).”
Our objective is to bring together a globally diverse, interdisciplinary, and intersectional collection that delves into the multifaceted discourse surrounding ART issues within the realm of religions. This edited volume seeks to foster a profound comprehension of the intricate interplay between religion and ART, shedding light on the dynamic adaptation of religious beliefs and practices to contemporary challenges.
The complex and occasionally contradictory relationship between religion and ART has historically manifested itself. Offspring are often considered divine gifts, juxtaposed with infertility, which can be construed as a form of punishment. Consequently, many religious traditions approach human intervention in child conception cautiously, emphasizing the belief that the Divine alone governs the opening and closing of wombs. However, in an era marked by escalating fertility challenges, especially in affluent societies, there exists a compelling need to explore how religion grapples with and adapts to advancements in ART.
We invite scholars to contribute to this discourse by submitting original research papers or case studies addressing various dimensions of this intricate relationship. We seek in-depth, scholarly papers from diverse theoretical, methodological, and disciplinary perspectives, both conceptual and empirical. The Handbook aspires to serve as a reference for scholars and students engaging with issues at the intersection of religions and ART.
This is obviously a contemporary debate, but scholars who deal with past eras are also invited to submit chapters that analyse, for example, mythological narratives in which surrogacy or male pregnancies are outlined, or sacred texts in which a god establishes fertility or sterility for a woman, as a reward or as a punishment, and case-studies in which a deity, or a priest of the deity, personally solves the situation.
Potential topics include, but are not limited to:
· Historical Perspectives: Examining the historical context of religious attitudes towards fertility, infertility, and the use of ART.
· Theological Perspectives: Analyzing theological viewpoints on ART within different religious traditions, addressing ethical, moral, and divine intervention aspects.
· Ethical Dilemmas: Investigating the ethical dilemmas arising when religious beliefs intersect with the use of ART.
· Rituals and Practices: Exploring religious rituals, prayers, and practices associated with fertility and infertility in diverse religious contexts.
· Medical and Legal Frameworks: Assessing how religious beliefs influence medical and legal regulations surrounding ART.
· Interfaith and Interdisciplinary Approaches: Considering potential interfaith dialogue and interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing the evolving landscape of ART and religious ethics.
· Mythological narratives and sacred texts within the epistemological framework outlined above.
Submission Guidelines: This is an open call for papers, which will be chapters or parts of chapters. Please submit an abstract outlining your proposed contribution by December 31, 2023. Include your name, affiliation (if relevant), and any other pertinent information, along with a 300-word abstract, 5-6 key words, and the anticipated word count for the completed contribution.
Anticipated timeline:
· Abstract submission deadline: December 31, 2023.
· Tentative acceptance notification: January 31, 2023.
· Submission of full proposal to Bloomsbury: February 29, 2024.
· If the proposal is accepted, full chapters are expected by September 30, 2024.
We welcome contributions from independent scholars, authors at all career stages, and collaborative pieces. Feel free to contact the editors with any questions at any stage of the submission process.
Please send proposals to editors: giulia.pedrucci@univr.it and serikov@em.uni-frankfurt.de