The Nordic PhD Network for the Study of Esotericism invites MA and PhD students in the Nordic countries to submit proposals for its third annual workshop, to be held at Malmö University on 26 November 2026.

The workshop aims to provide a supportive and interdisciplinary forum for emerging scholars working on topics related to esotericism, occultism, mysticism, alternative spiritualities, magic, alchemy, Theosophy, Anthroposophy, New Religious Movements, Western and non-Western esoteric traditions, and related fields. We especially welcome contributions that engage with innovative theoretical, methodological, and historical perspectives.

To promote discussion and exchange, accepted participants will be asked to give a brief introduction to their project on the day of the workshop, and to share 2,000-3,000 drafts of their projects ahead of the workshop, which will be read and discussed by the other participants and senior scholars.

The purpose of the workshop is to foster scholarly exchange, strengthen academic networks across the Nordic region, and offer doctoral researchers an opportunity to receive constructive feedback on work in progress.

Submission Guidelines

The workshop is open to PhD students, and MA students who are interested in developing a PhD proposal. Please submit:

• Title of presentation
• Abstract (250–300 words)
• Short biographical note (max. 100 words)
• Institutional affiliation

Submissions are evaluated by the organizing committee and should be sent to manon.hedenborg-white@mau.se by September 28. You will receive notice of the outcome by October 5. If your proposal is accepted, you will be asked to share your draft paper by November 12.

Practical Information

The workshop will take place at Malmö University on 26 November 2026. Participation is free of charge. Please note that we cannot cover participants’ travel or accommodation expenses. Further information regarding the venue, programme, and any available travel support will be circulated after acceptance.

We warmly encourage PhD researchers at all stages of their doctoral studies to participate and look forward to welcoming colleagues from across the Nordic region to Malmö.

Organizing committee

Manon Hedenborg White, Malmö University
Tiina Mahlamäki, University of Turku
Tim Rudbøg, University of Copenhagen

For questions and submissions, please contact:

Manon Hedenborg White
Department of Society, Culture and Identity
Malmö University
manon.hedenborg-white@mau.se

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Organized by the Nordic PhD Network for the Study of Esotericism in collaboration with the Department of Society, Culture and Identity, Malmö University; and the Scandinavian Network for the Academic Study of Western Esotericism (SNASWE).

Two postdoctoral positions available at the Institute of Ethnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences. Deadline 25 September 2026.

https://www.eu.avcr.cz/cs/aktuality/American-Cold-War-Parapsychology/

https://www.eu.avcr.cz/cs/aktuality/Ukrainian-Cold-War-Parapsychology/

The Baltic States Esotericism in Context: Histories, Practices, and Cultural Dialogues Conference application deadline was extended until September 10, 2026. Please download the updated CFP document from the following page: https://esswe.org/resources/pdf/cfp/CFP_Baltic_States_Esotericism_updated.pdf

Seminar series convenor: Rebeka Erdélyiová (Newcastle University), rebeka.erdelyiova@gmail.com

Deadline: 21 August 2026

We invite applications for our first Postgraduate Seminar Series. The seminar series welcomes interdisciplinary approaches to the study of esotericism, including but not limited to history, religious studies, literature, art history, philosophy, anthropology, and related fields. It aims to provide a space for emerging scholars to present their ongoing research and engage with and receive feedback from fellow postgraduates. The seminar series will begin on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, with sessions taking place fortnightly until 3 November 2026. The sessions will feature three papers, followed by discussion with the audience. All sessions will be hosted online via Zoom.

The sessions will be held on the following dates:

• 22 September 2026
• 6 October 2026
• 20 October 2026
• 3 November 2026

Applications

Proposals (max. 300 words) and a CV (max. 2 pages) should be submitted to rebeka.erdelyiova@gmail.com by 21 August 2026. Applicants will be notified no later than 28 August 2026. The event is free of charge.

If you have any questions, please contact rebeka.erdelyiova@gmail.com

Two fully funded PhD positions are available at the University of Vienna (deadline July 2026). Prof Lukas Pokorny would welcome applications especially focused on the study of esotericism. Please see further details here:

https://vdtr.univie.ac.at/my-docschool/call-for-applications#c27061

The Department of Literature, History of Ideas, and Religion at the University of Gothenburg announces two positions as doctoral students in Religious Studies. The call is open for relevant projects within all research areas in Religious Studies at the University of Gothenburg: History of Religion (including esotericism), Systematic Theology, Social Sciences of Religion, History of Christianity, Biblical Studies and Didactics of Religion.

For more information and to apply please check this page. 

ESSWE11

The 11th Biennial Conference of the

European Society for the Study of Western Esotericism

ALTERNATIVE EPISTEMOLOGIES

University of Turku, Finland, June 16–19, 2027

One of the most fundamental questions, both historically and today, concerns how knowledge is produced and legitimized—and it is increasingly clear that these processes are currently undergoing rapid and far-reaching change. New alternative epistemologies are emerging at a rapid pace, as we seek diverse perspectives on global politics, equality and justice, as well as on the environment and nature, threatened by climate change and mass extinction. Conspiracy theories and alternative epistemologies are challenging the legitimacy of scientific knowledge, while new feminist ecologies and magical or creative practices are reshaping art and culture. These––and many other––new epistemologies and theoretical approaches also offer fresh insights into the past and historical materials. The ESSWE11 conference invites participants to explore and discuss various aspects of esotericism in relation to alternative epistemologies and rationalities in the broadest sense.

Please click here to learn more.

We are pleased to announce the election of Mriganka Mukhopadyay (University of Amsterdam) and Pavel Horák (University of Vienna) to the ESSWE Board of Directors. We extend our congratulations, and our gratitude to all of the candidates for their willingness to serve the Society by standing for election.

This conference invites scholars from all disciplines to explore cases of esotericism in the Baltic states, broadly interpreted. We aim to bring together researchers working on historical, ethnographic, literary, artistic, philosophical, religious, and sociopolitical dimensions of esoteric thought and practice. For more information, pleas download the CFP pdf document.

Date: June 23, 2026

Location: Sankt Gertrud Konferens, Östergatan 7B, Malmö, Sweden

Workshop organizer: Manon Hedenborg White (Malmö University), manon.hedenborg-white@mau.se

Deadline: May 15, 2026

We invite applications for an MA/PhD thesis workshop on June 23, 2026 in Malmö, Sweden. The biennial ESSWE thesis workshops provide an opportunity for emerging scholars to present ongoing or recently completed MA thesis projects or ongoing (but not completed) PhD thesis projects, and receive feedback from junior and senior scholars in the field. This year’s workshop takes a chronologically, geographically, and thematically inclusive approach, allowing contributions from participants with specializations in the study of esotericism, occultism, and magic in a global perspective.

The event is free of charge, but space is limited. Attendance is open only to ESSWE members.

During the workshop, participants will have the chance to discuss their projects with board members of ESSWE.

Application

Proposals (max. 300 words) and CV (max. 2 pages) should be submitted to manon.hedenborg-white@mau.se no later than May 15, 2026. Applicants will be notified no later than May 22, 2026.

Lunch and coffee breaks with pastries are included in the workshop. Participants must fund their own travel expenses, accommodation, and dinner in Malmö. Please note that ESSWE offers the option to apply for a limited number of travel bursaries https://esswe.org/Bursaries/https://esswe.org/Bursaries/