1 Day Hybrid Workshop - Date : 3 December 2025

Venue: University of Wolverhampton (in person & online)
Organisers: Dr Eyup Ersoy (King’s College London) & Dr Caglar Ezikoglu (University of Wolverhampton)

Religion continues to play a complex role in shaping foreign policy, serving at times as a source of legitimacy, a tool of soft power, a vector of conflict, or a means of advancing national identity and international influence. On the other hand, the use and abuse of religion in foreign policy is often contested, with its potential for both constructive engagement and destructive instrumentalization. This one-day hybrid workshop seeks to bring scholars and practitioners together to critically examine the use and abuse of religion in foreign policy. We welcome papers that explore theoretical, historical, and contemporary dimensions of the theme from diverse disciplinary perspectives, including political science, international relations, history, sociology, theology, and area studies.

Possible topics include (but are not limited to):

• Theoretical frameworks for understanding religion in international relations and foreign policy
• Historical and contemporary case studies of religion shaping foreign policy decisions
• Religion as a tool of diplomacy, soft power, or nation branding
• The instrumentalisation or politicisation of religion by state and non-state actors
• Religion, nationalism, and identity in shaping foreign policy
• The role of religious actors and institutions in international relations
• Religion, conflict, and peacebuilding in foreign policy contexts
• National and international contestations over the use and abuse of religion in foreign Policy

Format:
The workshop will be held in a hybrid format to allow both in-person participation at the University of Wolverhampton and online participation.

Submission Guidelines:
Please send an abstract of up to 250 words, along with a short bio (max.100 words), to c.ezikoglu@wlv.ac.uk by 15 October 2025. Notification of acceptance will be sent by 30 October 2025. Selected participants are expected to submit a 4000-word draft paper. The draft paper must be submitted to c.ezikoglu@wlv.ac.uk by 23 November 2025.

Publication Opportunities:
Selected papers will be considered for an edited book to be published by Bloomsbury following the workshop. We have a limited number of travel bursaries available for participants from the UK and funding is contingent on the submission of draft papers.

Sponsors:

• Department of History, Politics and War Studies, University of Wolverhampton
• International Relations Specialist Group, Political Studies Association (PSA)