Submit proposals for the first online biennial conference of the International Association of Franciscan Studies. Scholars worldwide are invited to contribute research on Franciscan history, thought, and practice.
The celebration of the 800th anniversary of the Easter of Francis of Assisi in 2026 invites us to contemplate his life in relation to our own life, charism, action, and leadership. This online conference brings together scholars from various backgrounds and disciplines to exchange ideas on inspirational leadership then and now. On the one hand, it aims to enrich leadership discourse with Franciscan ideals and ideas. On the other hand, it seeks a renewed reflection on the practical dimensions and implications of Franciscan leadership styles in today’s society.
Franciscan leadership is essentially servant-centered as evidenced by the Franciscan sources. Franciscan leadership means serving, putting oneself in the service of the good of the individual and the community. How can modern theories such as accountable, agile, integral, intuitive, mindful, situational, strategic, transactional and values-based leadership benefit from this, typically Franciscan, service-centred approach, and vice versa? We therefore seek contributions 1) that make core aspects of Franciscan leadership such as inspiration, vision, receptivity, relationality, fraternity and transformation fruitful for modern-day leaders, for those commanding, guiding, convincing, and inspiring others in organizations; and 2) apply modern-day leadership theories to Franciscan leadership practices. This conference is also the official launch of the new International Association of Franciscan Studies.
Practical Matters
The organizers welcome paper proposals submitted in English. Abstracts should be kept as close to 100 words as possible. Each paper should last 20 minutes, followed by 10 minutes of discussion. Papers will be published in
Franciscan Studies or .
Paper proposals must be submitted by January 30, 2026 to:
Fr. D.B. Couturier, O.F.M. Cap.:
dcouturi@sbu.edu
Dr. Dr. K. Pansters:
K.Pansters@tilburguniversity.edu
The Franciscan Institute at Saint Bonaventure University invites submissions for a one-day, online conference on the future of Franciscan studies on July 13, 2026. The conference will examine both developments and new lines of inquiry in the various facets of Franciscan Studies (theology, philosophy, history, liturgy, art, contemporary Franciscan life and spirituality) and the challenges facing the pursuit of Franciscan Studies in the current academic, cultural, and economic moments.
In particular, the Franciscan Institute invites papers of no more than 20 minutes addressing the following themes:
- New resources: what artefacts, texts, or other testaments to Franciscanism have been discovered, underexamined, or deserving of a re-examination?
- New Questions: what questions have been prompted by current research in Franciscan Studies or adjacent disciplines?
- New Methods: are there any new approaches, especially those crossing over disciplines, that will support new lines and forms of inquiry in Franciscan studies?
- New Situations: what practical context for scholars, students, and followers of Francis, official and unofficial, present problems and promise for pursuing and handing on the tradition of Franciscan Studies?
Paper proposals must be submitted by February 14, 2026 to:
Fr. D.B. Couturier, O.F.M. Cap.:
dcouturi@sbu.edu
Please submit proposals with a title and an abstract of no more than 300 words. Presenters will be notified by March 10, 2026.