Welcome to the website of the Nederlands Genootschap voor Godsdienstwetenschap (NGG) / Dutch Association for the Study of Religion!


The NGG is the official professional organization representing the academic study of religion in the Netherlands, with more than 100 active members. It is our mission to foster an interdisciplinary study of religion on a high level of academic reflection and historical understanding. We disseminate the results of our research to a wider public and engage actively in political and cultural debates in the Netherlands and beyond. We provide a network of scholars that enhances the quality of academic research and that supports the next generation of scholars. To achieve these goals, the NGG organizes annual conferences, serves as a communication platform for scholars, journalists, politicians, and other societal stakeholders, and engages actively in the support of doctoral students.

Founded in 1947 following an initiative by Gerardus van der Leeuw, professor of Phenomenology of Religions at the University of Groningen, the NGG was subsequently instrumental in the foundation of the International Association for the History of Religion (IAHR). In 1950, the Netherlands hosted the international congress in Amsterdam during which the IAHR was institutionally founded, with Gerardus van der Leeuw serving as the first president. The NGG is also a member of the European Association for the Study of Religions (EASR) and will host the 13th EASR Annual Conference in Groningen in 2014, on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the University of Groningen.

Executive Committee of the NGG:

Prof. Dr. Kocku von Stuckrad (University of Groningen), president
Markus Altena Davidsen, MA (University of Leiden), general secretary
Prof. Dr. Frans Wijsen (Radboud University Nijmegen), treasurer
Gemma Kwantes, MA (University of Amsterdam), student and doctoral student representative
William R. Arfman, MA (Tilburg University), student and doctoral student representative

Associate member: Annet van der Meer (University of Groningen), communications officer

This website provides information about partner organizations, educational programs, and other interesting activities (see “Links”), news related to the academic study of religion in the Netherlands (see “Nieuws”), and about activities and upcoming events (see “Agenda”). The option “Vind een wetenschapper” is a search tool for finding members of the NGG who are working on specific topics and may be contacted for information. For more information about the NGG and membership options, see “Over het NGG.”


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