CFP: Religious Studies - The Big Question Short Essay Competition on AI

In anticipation of its 60th anniversary next year, Religious Studies is introducing a range of exciting new initiatives, including panel discussions on emerging issues and interviews with distinguished philosophers of religion. To complement these efforts, we are hosting the Big Question competition this summer. We invite submissions in response to the following question:

In what ways can rapid advancements in artificial intelligence and/or the possibility of the technological singularity challenge or reshape traditional debates in the philosophy of religion?

Selected entries will be published in Religious Studies, and the author of the best submission will also receive Cambridge University Press books to the value of £150. Please submit answers of 500-1000 words to [email protected]. Perspectives from all philosophical and religious traditions are welcome. The deadline for entry is 31st October, 2024 and the winner will be announced by 30th November, 2024.

Further information

Q. Why the big question?

A. We aimed to launch our new panel discussion section in an impactful way, with one of the most pressing questions we currently face as academics and scholars of philosophy of religion. We also wanted to pose a question that can be explored from a variety of perspectives.

Q. How should I submit my answer?

A. Please e-mail your answer to [email protected]. Include your name and contact information in the body of the e-mail and attatch a word document containing your answer. Please ensure that your document is fully anonymised. Please do not submit your answer to the OPRS system (our standard submissions system for papers), as we will be unable to process it there.

Q. How will answers be judged?

A. A panel of judges, drawn from the editorial board of Religious Studies and headed by Yujin Nagasawa, will be judging the entries.

Q. What happens if my answer is accepted for publication?

A. You will be invited to submit your answer via the OPRS system, where it will go through the standard article publication process of copyediting and typesetting and then be published in Religious Studies, as part of the launch for the new panel discussion section of the journal.

Q. I don’t think I can answer this question. Will there be others I can try to answer?

A. Yes! Keep an eye on the Religious Studies Facebook group and X account, for announcements of future panel discussions. While not all of these will be competitions, they will all provide you with the opportunity to address some of the biggest questions in the field and share your unique perspective.