The Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Oxford announces the Oxford Conference on Academic Exploration of Bhakti in Indian Philosophy, to be held on 16–17 April 2026.
Bhakti has shaped South Asian intellectual and philosophical traditions in profound ways, influencing reflections on selfhood, ethics, devotion, relationality, and transformative practice. Yet, its philosophical architecture remains insufficiently examined in contemporary academic discourse. This conference seeks to address that gap through sustained and interdisciplinary engagement with Bhakti as a philosophically rigorous tradition.
Key Themes
The conference will explore, among others:
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Bhakti as philosophy and philosophical method
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Epistemology, ethics, and affective knowledge
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Textual traditions and regional expressions of Bhakti
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Bhakti as transformative practice and philosophical counselling
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Interdisciplinary and dialogical approaches to Bhakti
The objective is not merely historical study, but conceptual engagement with Bhakti as a living and analytically rich philosophical framework.
Keynote Speakers (Confirmed)
• Professor Diwakar Acharya
• Dr Jitendra Sharma
The conference is also supported by Professor Jim Mallinson.
In addition to keynote lectures, the programme will include panel discussions and presentations by doctoral candidates and early-career researchers, creating a platform for rigorous scholarly exchange.
Important Dates
• Abstract submission deadline: 15 February 2026
• Notification of acceptance: March 2026
• Full paper submission deadline: 15 March 2026
• Conference dates: 16–17 April 2026
By bringing together scholars from philosophy, Indian intellectual history, religious studies, ethics, and related disciplines, the conference aims to advance a nuanced and academically grounded understanding of Bhakti’s enduring philosophical relevance.
Further details, registration information, and submission guidelines are available at:
https://lnkd.in/gz6-wwjK
