About the 9th Biennial Conference

The 9th Biennial Conference on Religion and American Culture is a three-day event to collectively discuss, celebrate, and ponder the state and future of the field of American religion. The 9th Biennial Conference will be held in Indianapolis on June 4–6, 2026.

Unlike other academic conferences, the Center’s Biennial Conference focuses on interdisciplinary conversation among all attendees. Each of our eight conference sessions are held in the round to encourage contemplation and participation from everyone in attendance from graduate students to the foremost experts on given topics.

Sessions at the 9th Biennial Conference will focus on some of the most pressing and notable intersections of religion and American society, including the state of the academy, working to promote a more accurate depiction of religious life through media, and new opportunities to share about religion research and trends beyond the classroom.

Register for the 9th Biennial Conference

Registration is now open for the 9th Biennial Conference on Religion and American Culture. The 9th Biennial Conference will be held at The Westin Hotel in the heart of downtown Indianapolis, conveniently located near the city’s top attractions and restaurants.

Discounted registration rates will apply through April 20, 2026. Part-time professional and student registration is $50 ($75 after April 20, 2026) and full-time professional registration is $150 ($175 after April 20, 2026). Scholarships are available at the discretion of the Center and can be requested during registration.

Thankfully, Lilly Endowment has once again generously agreed to help underwrite hotel rooms for the 9th Biennial Conference. The conference rate is $209/night. Upon checkout, $100/night will be charged to the Center for conference attendees (available on a first-come, first-served basis), making the base rate $109/night plus taxes.

Click Here to Register for the 9th Biennial Conference!

9th Biennial Conference — Graduate Student Presentations

During the 9th Biennial Conference on Religion and American Culture, we will once again invite advanced graduate students to give mini-presentations describing their research projects and the importance and impact of their work on American religion. This session is sponsored by the Center’s journal, Religion and American Culture: A Journal of Interpretation. If you are interested in learning more about the Graduate Students Presentations or would like to be notified when the application goes live, click the button below to stay updated on this initiative.

Click Here to Learn More About Graduate Presentations!