Word from the LUCSoR Chair: September 2025
The academic year has kicked off—and how! On 2 September, Dr. Yves Menheere opened our year with a lecture on “The What and Why of Chinese Religions”. For keen listeners, this immediately raised the big question: which concepts should we use in the study of religion? And to all first-years: a warm welcome.
Dr. Menheere’s lecture set the tone for the courses ahead: Prof. Ab de Jong is once again embarking on a journey through time in “Religion in the World”; Dr. Tom-Eric Krijger is teaching “Methods and Techniques”, on historical methods; Profs. Maurits Berger and Sarah Cramsey are offering introductions to Islam and Judaism; Dr. Elpine de Boer, Dr. Verena Meyer, and Dr. John-Harmen Valk are leading discipline courses in psychology, sociology, and politics. Dr. Corey Williams will be teaching “Global Christianity” for the very last time—so don’t miss it. And finally, Dr. Markus Davidsen offers the ultimate initiation into the field with the MA course “Tools and Theories in the Study of Religion”. And to top it all off: “Pilgrimage and Holy Places”, with Dr. Yves Menheere among others.
The opening of the academic year also marked the closure of some other chapters. First, as the new programme chair, I should like to extend heartfelt thanks to Dr. Corey Williams, who held the position for six years. He ensured that our teaching programmes continued to develop and thrive under challenging circumstances. Thank you, Corey—on behalf of both students and staff—for all your work and wisdom.
September also saw the departure of Prof. Ab de Jong as academic director of the Leiden Institute for Area Studies (LIAS), of which LUCSoR is a part. A big thank-you from all of us to him. Shedding that weight from his shoulders will surely, in time, feel like a relief.
The coming period will be important for LUCSoR. On 14 October, the Religious Studies programmes will undergo external review by a visiting committee composed of Prof. Kim Knibbe, Prof. Amr Ryad, Dr. Maria Vliek, and student member Annebet van Rijn. Many thanks in advance to all students who are willing to meet the committee. Your contributions and insights will play a crucial role in the committee’s deliberations.
And this year promises much more—far too much to list here. A selection of publications and events can be found in this newsletter. Let me simply end by wishing everyone a wonderful year. Thank you to our students for your dedication and positive energy. As staff, we are excited for what lies ahead—in no small part because of you.
Dr. Nathal M. Dessing
Chair of Religious Studies Programmes
Leiden University Centre for the Study of Religion (LUCSoR)