The Working Religion Initiative, housed at OSU’s Center for the Study of Religion, supports an emerging network of scholars with research interests in the study of religion, work, and business, who are committed to translating their scholarly work for stakeholders outside the academy. The Initiative supports new scholarly research, the development of innovative teaching materials, and various public engagement projects. We are especially interested in creating space for conversation and reciprocal learning among scholars, Human Resources professionals, and workers.
Activities to date include:
An October 2023 symposium on religious accommodations in the workplace, which included scholars of religious studies and human resources in conversation with workplace compliance professionals and Employee Resource Group leaders. Topics addressed included: challenges faced at work by adherents of minority religions, barriers that prevent employees from coming forward with requests for religious accommodation, and strategies adopted by companies for addressing those challenges.
- A May 2025 colloquium for scholars of religion, work, and business. Topics addressed included: emerging research on religion and work, effective partnerships between humanities and business academic programs, and strategies for translating research for stakeholders outside the academy.
We will announce next steps and ways to get involved in this initiative soon. For more information, please contact the director of the Center for the Study of Religion, Isaac Weiner.