The Queensland Atlas of Religion

Researchers in the School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry were recently (2019) awarded an ARC Linkage Grant to develop the Queensland Atlas of Religion in partnership with the State Library.

The project builds on the School’s earlier success with the public reference websites the Queensland Historical Atlas, Queensland Places and Queensland Speaks, all developed by Professor Peter Spearritt since 2007. These are hosted by the School as part of the Digital Histories, Cultures and Landscapes suite of digital resources.

The new project investigates, documents and interprets the diversity of religion and religious practices in Queensland's past and present. Using an inter-disciplinary approach, it is generating the first major scholarly treatment of religions in Queensland via a large public reference website. It involves three PhD projects, a state-wide project reference group for community input and a range of regional research initiatives. Funding support is supplied by the Australian Research Council , the State Library of Queensland and The University of Queensland.

Led by HPI’s Assoc. Prof.  Geoff Ginn (History) and Dr Adam Bowles (Studies in Religion), the project involves a number of the School’s researchers and affiliates: Dr Tom Aechtner (SiR); Professor Philip Almond (IASH); Dr Maryam Jamarani (UQ Graduate School); Emeritus Professor Peter Spearritt (History); Dr Richard Martin (School of Social Sciences); Dr Ryan Williams (SiR) and Dr Valerie Cooms (History).

Currently working on associated PhD projects are Prabuddha Mukherjee (South Asian immigration and religious diversity in Queensland), Zerrin Afza (Islamic education in Queensland), and Jerrold Cuperus (Technology and media in Charismatic Christianity). Elverina Johnson is undertaking an MPhil project exploring aspects of Aboriginal Christianity with a focus on Yarrabah, community-based faith and artistic expression. Project administration and research support is provided by Jess White.

This is the first time that a place-based approach has been employed for a scholarly study of Queensland's religious pluralism and diversity, emphasising the patterns of historical accommodation and inclusion needed to inform religious toleration and cross-community understanding today. In generating new knowledge, the Atlas will present its research outcomes in a well-tested and readily available digital format for broad public access.

Belief and Belonging: Queensland Stories

To follow the QAR's development, you can read our project updates below:

• QAR Project Update #7 March 2023
• QAR Project Update #6, August 2022
• QAR Project Update #5, December 2021
• QAR Project Update #4, May 2021
• QAR Project Update #3, December 2020
• QAR Project Update #2, July 2020
• QAR Project Update #1, February 2020

For further information, please contact qarel@uq.edu.au.

Project Members

Associate Professor Geoff Ginn
Associate Professor in History
School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry

Associate Professor Adam Bowles
Associate Professor in Asian Religions
School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry

Associate Professor Tom Aechtner
Associate Professor in Religion and Science, Discipline Convenor
School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry

Dr Ryan Williams
Senior Lecturer in Studies in Religion, Director of Engagement
School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry

Dr Val Cooms
Research Fellow
School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry

Dr Shirin (Maryam) Jamarani
Lecturer in Studies in Religion
School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry

Jessica White
Executive Editor
School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry

Prabuddha Mukherjee
HDR Candidate
School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry

Jerrold Cuperus
HDR Candidate
School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry

Zerrin Afza
HDR Candidate
School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry