Currently the history of women religious exists largely in national, regional and chronological silos; ISHWRA endeavours to address this, being deliberately broad in its scope, not only with regard to presenters and participants but crucially, in terms of content. 

The principal output of ISHWRA is a monthly research seminar and a biennial workshop. All seminars are hosted virtually to allow for global participation, but some take place in a hybrid form through an in-person and online format. These particular events are hosted by the Centre for Catholic Studies. The rationale behind the seminar series is that it allows for the tracking of major international research themes, which include the history of female religious in relation to matters of education, faith and spirituality, gender, politics, race, and social care. The seminar series invites contributions from scholars from a broad array of disciplinary backgrounds.

The focus of the network is deliberately transnational and multidisciplinary, welcoming participation from those who come from a broad array of scholarly and non-scholarly backgrounds alike.

Who We Are

The convening committee of ISHWRA is composed of the following, from whom any further information may be requested:

• Sarah Barthélemy (Durham University, UK, and Université Saint-Louis - Bruxelles, Belgium) (sarah.barthelemy@durham.ac.uk)
• Cormac Begadon (Durham University, UK) (cormac.s.begadon@durham.ac.uk)
• Gemma Betros (Australian National University, Australia) (gemma.betros@anu.edu.au)

The work of ISHWRA benefits from the support of an Advisory Committee, comprising: 

• James E. Kelly (Durham University, UK) 
• Liliana Pérez Miguel (PUCP, Peru)
• Sergi Sancho Fibla (Università degli Studi di Padova) 
• Kristien Suenens (KULeuven, Belgium)
• Shannen Dee Williams (University of Dayton, USA)

Seminars last around 75 minutes. The seminars are being held fully online, except for the 25 November seminar which will be hybrid. Seminar start times shown below are London (UK) time.

All are welcome to attend. Registration opens at https://centreforcatholicstudies.eventbrite.com three weeks before each seminar.