Keston Center Panel Presents Global Perspectives on Politics, Religion and Society

March 22, 2021

Libraries and ITS Contact: Carl Flynn, Baylor Libraries and ITS
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WACO, Texas (March 22, 2021) – The Keston Center for Religion, Politics and Society at Baylor University will welcome nine scholars from around the globe, who will participate in "Where in the World?" — a Zoom-based presentation, discussion and moderated Q&A on the current state of religion, politics and society at 3:30 p.m. CDT Tuesday, March 23, and 11 a.m. CDT Friday, March 26, to accommodate time differences.

Panelists will briefly reflect on the current state of religion, politics and society in the region they research or where they live. Although several serve at U.S. universities, the majority will Zoom in from Russia, Romania, England and other countries. Following the presentations, Wallace Daniel, Ph.D., Distinguished University Professor of History at Mercer University, will moderate a live Q&A and discussion among the panelists.

Keston researchers include:

  • Emily Baran, Middle Tennessee State University
  • Mykhailo Cherenkov, Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv
  • Julie deGraffenried, Baylor University
  • Alyona Kojevnikov, Keston News Service, Founding Director
  • Roman Lunkin, Institute of Europe Russian Academy of Sciences
  • Barbara Martin, University of Basel
  • Joshua Searle, Spurgeon's College
  • Artyom Tonoyan, University of Minnesota
  • Alina Urs, Center for the Study of Contemporary History in Romania, Founding Member

"Over the last 10 years, the Keston Center has hosted more than 50 researchers from across the globe and maintains close contact with many of them," said Kathy Hillman, director of the Keston Center at Baylor. "With the world changing so rapidly, especially during the pandemic, we wanted to gather updates and hear their stories. The 'Where in the World?' event enables us to do just that and share their information with Baylor and beyond."

A link to the Zoom session will be posted at baylor.edu/kestoncenter the day prior to each session. A button is available on the site to request a reminder email that will include Zoom credentials. Biographical information for the panelists also is available on the Keston Center website. For more information, contact Kathy Hillman at Kathy_Hillman@baylor.edu or 254-749-5347.

The Keston Center for Religion, Politics and Society at Baylor University promotes research and encourages the study of religion in communist, post-communist and other totalitarian societies. The Center was established in 2007 when Baylor agreed to manage, preserve and develop the library and archives of Keston College (UK) and to promote related research. Rev. Canon Michael Bourdeaux founded Keston in 1969 as the Centre for the Study of Religion and Communism to be a "voice for the voiceless" for those facing religious persecution. Today, Keston College, also known as Keston Institute, continues "to promote and encourage the study of and research into religion, religious beliefs and religious practices in Communist States, or States which have been Communist or present or former Totalitarian States." The archives and library at the Keston Center play an important role in the growth of international research.

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Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 19,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 90 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.

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