We are excited to announce that the Institute for the Study of Religion, Economics and Society (IRES) is now accepting applications for its Annual Graduate Student Workshop taking place at Chapman University in Orange, CA. This engaging workshop is primarily tailored for advanced students in economics, sociology, and political science, though we enthusiastically welcome proposals from scholars across all disciplines.

Over the course of two dynamic days, participants will engage in intensive instruction, lively interactions, and valuable feedback opportunities with a select group of advanced graduate students. Each participant will be required to submit a completed paper in advance, which will be thoroughly circulated and reviewed. Our sessions will emphasize both presentations and discussions, allowing faculty and fellow students to provide constructive and detailed feedback on each paper.

**APPLICATION PROCESS**

To apply, please submit a one-page summary along with your CV. The summary should include your name, university affiliation, email, graduate advisor, and a brief 300-500 word description of your work. Applications must be submitted by clicking HERE no later than April 17, 2026. Please include a draft of your paper in the proposal if one is available, even if it is not complete. We will strongly favor submissions that include a paper.

**ACCOMMODATIONS & FUNDING**

IRES will provide funding to cover expenses for an economy flight, hotel, and group meals during the workshop. Federal regulations prohibit payment of honoraria to F-1 students and individuals on certain other visa types. Depending on your situation and status, travel grants, reimbursements, and other funding options may be available.

**FACULTY PARTICIPANTS**

• Guillaume Blanc (Simon Fraser University)
• Asli Cansunar (University of Washington)
• Larry Iannaccone (Chapman University)
• Mohammad Isaqzadeh (Chapman University)
• Avital Livny (University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign)
• Erik Kimbrough (Chapman University)
• Michael McBride (University of California, Irvine)
• Steve Pfaff (Chapman University)
• Hannah Ridge (Chapman University)
• Jared Rubin (Chapman University)
• Benjamin Tremblay-Auger (Chapman University)
• Carolyn Warner (University of Nevada, Reno)

Generously Sponsored by THE INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF RELIGION, ECONOMICS & SOCIETY, THE JOHN TEMPLETON FOUNDATION and the TEMPLETON RELIGION TRUST

Keynote Speaker - James Robinson

James Robinson is a University Professor at the Harris School for Public Policy and Department of Political Science at the University of Chicago and recipient of the 2024 Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel. He studied economics at the London School of Economics, the University of Warwick and Yale University and is co-author with Daron Acemoglu of Economic Origins of Dictatorship and Democracy, Why Nations Fail, (which has been translated into 51 languages including Amharic, Arabic, Dari, Farsi, Mongolian and Somali), and The Narrow Corridor. His next book, on Sub-Saharan Africa, entitled Wealth in People will be published in 2026. He is currently conducting research in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Nigeria where he is a Fellow at the Institute of African Studies at the University of Nigeria-Nsukka. He taught every summer for 28 years at the University of the Andes in Bogota and now teaches research design in the pan-African collaborative PhD program in economics run by the African Economic Research Consortium in Nairobi.

All presenters and participants are required to register to attend. Please register by Friday, March 6th. Registration is $175 for regular attendees and $50 for students. Please use either the form below or the QR code to register.

ASREC Conference Program

ASREC Graduate Student Workshop

Hotel

We have secured a discounted rate at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Anaheim Orange, located at 400 N. State College Boulevard, Orange, CA 92868. To take advantage of this rate, please use the link below by February 27, 2026.