International Conference at Trinity

Media release

On 5-7 December 2023 an international conference entitled “New Frontiers in Religious Constitutionalism in Australia, Germany and Indonesia” will be held at University of Divinity’s (UD) Trinity College Theological School (TCTS). The conference proposal was developed by Professor Miguel Vatter of the Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation at Deakin University, in collaboration with Professor Mark Brett of UD’s Whitley College, and has been funded by Germany’s Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. Dr Scott Kirkland, TCTS’s Research Coordinator, has made the local arrangements for the conference.

Formally titled a Humboldt Kolleg, the conference will explore the history and emerging tendencies in the long-standing relationship between religion and constitutionalism and will be attended by scholars from Australia, Germany, Indonesia and the United States of America. The Kolleg will be jointly opened on 5 December by Mr John Moloney, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Vice President (international) at Deakin University and Professor Gabrielle McMullen AM, UD’s Deputy Chancellor and also national President of the Australian Association of von Humboldt Fellows. Delegates will be formally welcomed by Dr Bob Derrenbacker, TCTS Dean.

Humboldt Kollegs are specialist multidisciplinary conferences held outside Germany and hosted by Humboldtians, alumni of Humboldt fellowships and awards. They bring together Humboldtians with other expert researchers as well as emerging scholars related to the Kolleg theme. Through sponsoring Kolleg events, the Humboldt Foundation “aims to strengthen regional and professional networking between its alumni and spark junior researchers’ interest in Alexander von Humboldt Foundation programmes and in Germany as a research location”.

Professor McMullen said: “The University of Divinity welcomes this collaboration with Deakin University. I thank Professor Vatter for his initiative in applying to the Humboldt Kolleg grant and warmly congratulate him on the success of his application. The conference promises to offer an important occasion for dialogue on a contemporary issue of major local and global significance”.

For further information, contact:

Professor Miguel Vatter, Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University, miguel.vatter@deakin.edu.au

Dr Scott Kirkland, Trinity College Theological School, University of Divinity, scottk@trinity.edu.au