The Queensland Atlas of Religion (QAR) is a new research project currently commencing at The University of Queensland. Drawing on the expertise of researchers in history and studies in religion, the Atlas aims to document and interpret issues of religious faith, migration, community and identity in the Queensland context.
The Queensland Atlas of Religion Project will conduct community forums at Queensland Atlas of Logan, Toowoomba, Townsville, the State Library of Queensland, and Gladstone during August of 2018.
The contribution that religious faith and practices make to community identity and social life in Queensland has not yet been widely studied. Similarly, the extraordinary diversity and richness of religious experience in Queensland – both past and present – remains poorly understood and documented.
In response, researchers at UQ plan to develop an authoritative new suite of digital reference resources, for broad public access through a permanent website to be known as the Queensland Atlas of Religion (QAR). A cross-disciplinary project embracing external collaborators, the QAR will document and interpret entwined issues of religious faith, migration, community and identity in the Queensland context. These will be treated spatially and across time, using interviews, interpretive essays, maps, images, primary documents and artefacts. When launched, this research will supply an authoritative, substantial and accessible public resource in the Digital Humanities as pioneered in earlier UQ projects such as the Queensland Historical Atlas.
This forum will introduce the Queensland Atlas of Religion project, its primary aims and approaches, the key researchers involved and the outcomes planned for 2019-2022. Meaningful community consultation and input will be an ongoing feature of this project, and a key ingredient for its success. As such this session will establish a forum for shared knowledge and collaboration. Community-based researchers and community elders are welcome, as are local historians and specialists in particular faith traditions.
The session will include:
- A brief introduction to the Queensland Atlas of Religion research project
- A broad discussion of why understanding the work of religion matters today
- A participation component where attendees will be invited to share their unique perspectives on faith, migration, and identity in Queensland
Hou Wang Temple, Atherton Australia by Landscape Photographer Rob Brownn https://commons.wikimedia.org/ w/index.php?curid=15037609
Forum Details: The Queensland Atlas of Religion community forums 2018
Logan Central Library
Community Meeting Room 3
26 Wilbur Street
Logan Central
Thursday 2nd August
6 – 7.30pm
Toowoomba City Library
Seminar Room B
Civic Square, 155 Herries Street
Toowoomba City
Thursday 9th August
6 – 8pm
Townsville Multicultural Fest
Yarn Circle, James Cook University
James Cook Drive
Townsville
Sunday 19th August
1 – 2 pm
The State Library of Queensland
Meeting Room 1B
Cultural Precinct, Stanley Place
South Brisbane
Wednesday 22nd August
Gladstone City Library
39 Goondoon Street
Gladstone Central
Thursday 30th August
6 – 8pm
Light refreshments provided at each venue.
RSVP: qarel@uq.edu.au
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