Events
Free Online Event: Religion and the Transpersonal
"Soft" Perennialism & Feminist Perspectives
Friday 16 October 2026 at 2pm (BST)
The first aim of this event is to encourage collaboration between the Alister Hardy Trust and the Transpersonal Section of the British Psychological Society. Both of these organisations are engaged in the study of religious, spiritual, or transpersonal experiences; those that take us beyond our ego and skin limited selves, whether we believe in a God or not. The second aim is to include topics that provide alternative perspectives on, what to most of us, are well known experiences. Dr Steve Taylor will introduce the argument of “soft” perennialism as a perspective on common core phenomenology, and Dr Madeleine Castro, drawing on insights from UK women’s circles, will provide awareness of feminist approaches to religious, spiritual, and transpersonal experiences.
Event Programme
1.45pm Virtual doors open for arrivals.
2.00 p.m. Welcome & Introductions.
Prof Leslie Francis, Chair of the Alister Hardy Trust,
Prof Bettina Schmidt, Director of the Religious Experience Research Centre,
Dr Mike Rush, Trustee of the Alister Hardy Trust,
Dr Mara Steenhuisen, Editor of the Journal for the Study of Religious Experience.
2.15 - 2.45 p.m. Dr Steve Taylor
A New Day for Perennialism: The Argument for a ‘soft’ perennialism.
2.45 - 3.15 p.m. Dr. Madeleine Castro
Feminist Perspectives on Religious, Spiritual, and Transpersonal Experience.
3.15 – 3.30 p.m. Response from Dr Jeff Leonardi.
3.30 – 3.50 p.m. Dr Mara Steenhuisen.
Q&A and discussion.
3:50 – 4:00pm Wrap up & end.
The book of Abstracts and Speakers can be downloaded here.
We very much hope that you will be able to attend online. There is no charge for the conference. However, since it is a public event, we ask you to make a booking through Eventbrite.
We shall send out the Zoom link to those who have made a booking to attend online a few days before the event.
2.00 p.m. Welcome & Introductions.
Prof Leslie Francis, Chair of the Alister Hardy Trust,
Prof Bettina Schmidt, Director of the Religious Experience Research Centre,
Dr Mike Rush, Trustee of the Alister Hardy Trust,
Dr Mara Steenhuisen, Editor of the Journal for the Study of Religious Experience.
2.15 - 2.45 p.m. Dr Steve Taylor
A New Day for Perennialism: The Argument for a ‘soft’ perennialism.
2.45 - 3.15 p.m. Dr. Madeleine Castro
Feminist Perspectives on Religious, Spiritual, and Transpersonal Experience.
3.15 – 3.30 p.m. Response from Dr Jeff Leonardi.
3.30 – 3.50 p.m. Dr Mara Steenhuisen.
Q&A and discussion.
3:50 – 4:00pm Wrap up & end.
The book of Abstracts and Speakers can be downloaded here.
We very much hope that you will be able to attend online. There is no charge for the conference. However, since it is a public event, we ask you to make a booking through Eventbrite.
We shall send out the Zoom link to those who have made a booking to attend online a few days before the event.