IAPT 2027 Conference: (Con)tested Knowledge: Production, Formation and Deconstruction

The next biannual IAPT-Conference will take place in Tübingen, Germany, from April 1 to April 5, 2027. 

The topic “(Con)tested Knowledge” focuses on how practical theological knowledge is produced, formed and deconstructed. The struggle for an academic reflection on religious and theological knowledge has a long and well-known tradition in Tübingen. Today, Practical Theology emerges from different sources, cultures and experiences, e.g. knowledge of the body, emotions and tacit knowledge that nests in interactions and social practices. With the conference theme, we want to focus on the various forms of (religious) knowledge or wisdom and emphasize their value as well as their challenges.

The call for papers does not focus on distinct fields but on different dynamics of (Con)tested Knowledge in Practical Theology. Knowledge production (1) refers to the processes, practices, and conditions under which knowledge emerges, gains authority, and becomes institutionally and socially relevant. Knowledge formation (2) is concerned with the processes of imparting, discursivizing and institutionalizing knowledge. Knowledge deconstruction (3) aims at a (self)critical reflection on existing epistemic orders in lived religion as well as the academic theological discourse.  There will also be an open slot (4) where the organizing committee explicitly welcomes submissions that do not fit neatly into these categories. The more detailed call will be released in April 2026.

The keynote sessions address three exemplary fields of (con)tested knowledge. We want to discuss how “Diversity and Decolonization” (1) transforms theological knowledge production today, to explore the relationship between religion and the current “Threat of Authoritarianism” (2), and to reflect on how the rapidly evolving “Technological Context of AI” (3) affects practical-theological research.

A special conference website is under construction and will cover all relevant information. An email address has already been set up: IAPT-2027@ev-theologie.uni-tuebingen.de. We keep you updated.

We look forward to welcoming you in Tübingen! The local committee: Erkan Binici, Eva Maria Daganato, Simon Linder, Hans-Ulrich Probst, Michael Schüßler, Lea Stolz, Fahimah Ulfat, Birgit Weyel.