CFP: Cyberreligion: Virtual Spaces and Spiritual Life (JSRH Workshop 2026)
JSRH 2026 Annual Workshop
Call for Papers
With the rapid development of digital technology and the continuous expansion of virtual spaces, new media such as the Internet, artificial intelligence, and the metaverse are profoundly reshaping human religious practices, ritual experiences, and spiritual life. JSRH (ISSN: 3068-4803) plans to hold its annual academic workshop on December 19–20, 2026, and cordially invites scholars from China and abroad to participate in this event.
I. Workshop Objectives
Centered on the theme “Cyber-Religion: Virtual Spaces and Spiritual Life,” this workshop aims to:
Deepen interdisciplinary dialogue: Break down disciplinary barriers and promote in-depth interdisciplinary research across fields such as the study of religion, history, sociology, communication studies, philosophy, and computational communication studies;
Support early-career scholars: Young scholars (including postdoctoral researchers and doctoral candidates) are particularly encouraged to submit cutting-edge and innovative research;
Explore new research paradigms: Encourage the use of new technologies and methods—such as digital humanities, big data analysis, and virtual ethnography—to open up new horizons in religious studies;
Enhancing the Quality of Academic Publishing: Selecting high-quality manuscripts for JSRH to promote the transformation and dissemination of high-level academic achievements.
II. Research Topics (including but not limited to)
The Theory of Humanity in the AI Era: Free Will and Predestination, Technological Development and the Future of Humanity
Consumerism and Religious Reflections
Religious Communication in Cyberspace, Online Communities, and Ritual Transformation
Games, Short Videos, Apps, Cultural and Creative Merchandise, and Religious Elements
AI Divination, Fortune-Telling, Feng Shui, Merit, and Experiences of Faith
Digital Technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Spiritual Practices
Reconstruction of Spaces of Faith in Virtual Reality (VR/AR) and the Metaverse
New Methods and Tools in Digital Humanities and the Study of Religious History
Ethical, Legal, and Social Risks of Cyberreligion
Transformation and Adaptation of Traditional Religions in the Digital Age
AI, Cyberreligion, and Social Governance
Other Related Topics
III. Date and Venue
Conference Dates: December 19–20, 2026 (registration on the afternoon of December 18).
Conference Venue: To be determined.
IV. Submission Guidelines
Paper Requirements: Submitted papers must be original, unpublished academic works that comply with academic standards; there is no length restriction. For citation guidelines, please visit the journal’s official website (CCSPUB.CC/JSRH). Authors of Chinese-language papers are responsible for translating their work into English after the conference.
Important Notes: Papers selected for this workshop will be automatically submitted to JSRH. During the workshop, scholars from relevant fields will be invited to review the papers; after revisions and successful peer review, the papers will be published in JSRH at a later date.
Honoraria and Conference Support: (1) Accommodation and Transportation: The organizers will cover the accommodation expenses of selected scholars during the conference and reimburse round-trip transportation costs (limited to second-class high-speed rail tickets or airline tickets of equivalent standard). (2) Author’s fee: An author’s fee will be paid separately after the paper is officially published in JSRH.
V. Submission Email:
Deadline for full-text paper submission: December 5, 2026.
Submission Email: JSRH@CCSPUB.CC. Please include “JSRH 2026 Workshop Submission” or similar wording in the email subject line.
VI. For Further Information: CCSNET.CC
We cordially invite colleagues to follow this call, submit papers, and share this announcement! We look forward to seeing you at the JSRH Workshop 2026!
Editorial Board of JSRH
October 15, 2026