State of Formation is pleased to announce that we are currently accepting applications for new Contributing Scholars. Are you or someone you know interested in joining the State of Formation community?

Over the past several years, State of Formation has welcomed emerging religious and ethical leaders to engage in dialogue through an online format. While unorthodox in its approach, this forum has created a place for emerging scholars to articulate their voices in the public sphere. Several of our previous writers have gone on to have regular writing opportunities with national publications, and to publish independent works.

Whenever possible, State of Formation strives to present professional development opportunities for our Contributing Scholars. These opportunities include invitations to present at the American Academy of Religion annual meeting, attending an annual conference on Interfaith and Genocide Studies in partnership with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, several cross-publishing opportunities, and additional relevant conferences and educational engagements throughout the year. Our Contributing Scholars have used State of Formation as a platform for exploring dimensions of their scholarly work and their lived experience as people in a religiously diverse world.

Contributing Scholars will publish monthly original content on our site, which we may share more broadly through newsletters, partner publications, and elsewhere as relevant. Contributing Scholars are also encouraged to actively engage with one another’s writing and ideas through the online forum.

Writers for State of Formation demonstrate candor and respect, and State of Formation’s content reflects the diversity of budding religious and ethical leadership and the particular learnings that only occur in religious and philosophical education. Above all, our contributors will address the pressing ethical issues of our pluralistic world.

Founded as a partner publication to the Journal of Interreligious Studies, State of Formation is now produced by the Betty Ann Greenbaum Miller Center for Interreligious Learning & Leadership at Hebrew College.

As part of the application process, candidates are asked to write a piece for publication responding to the question, “Why are you committed to building relationships with those of other religious or ethical traditions?”, and will have the opportunity to provide personal and professional references for their writing. All Contributing Scholars should be currently enrolled in a graduate program or institution for philosophical or theological formation, or within 3 years of entering the professional world following graduation.

Any questions can be directed to our staff. We are recruiting through October 15th, and look forward to welcoming you to the State of Formation community of Contributing Scholars!