Perkins and GPRS Scholars Presenting at AAR–SBL 2026
Faculty, students and alumni from Perkins School of Theology at SMU and the Graduate Program in Religious Studies (GPRS) will present at the 2026 AAR–SBL Annual Meetings in Denver, November 21–24.
News & announcements | Lectures & presentation
The following list highlights Perkins and GPRS faculty, students and alumni participating in the 2026 Annual Meetings of the American Academy of Religion (AAR) and the Society of Biblical Literature (SBL) in Denver, Colorado.
Please note: Session times, rooms and participants are subject to change. For the most current schedule and updates, visit the AAR–SBL Annual Meeting website.
Saturday, November 21
Session ID: A21-133 | 9–11 a.m. | Conference Center, 210
Theme: Methodist Connectionalism in America and Beyond – A Future-Focused Retrospective on the Work and Influence of Russell E. Richey
Presenter: Emily Nelms Chastain, Perkins School of Theology, SMU
Paper: “Held Together: Methodist Connectionalism as Ecclesial Belonging”
Respondent: Ashley Boggan, Perkins School of Theology, SMU
Session ID: S21-105 | 9–11:30 a.m. | Hyatt Regency, Silver B
Theme: Cities and Land in the Bible
Presenter: Kenna Curry, Southern Methodist University
Paper: “Dehumanizing in Biblical Interpretation of Judges” (9:25–9:50 a.m.)
Session ID: A21-227 | 12:30–2:30 p.m. | Conference Center, 712
Theme: Future Religion: Ecology, Technology, and Social Order in Speculative Worlds
Presenter: Jon Campoverde, Southern Methodist University
Paper: “Bodies, Belief, and Performance [complete title TK]”
Session ID: M21-201 | 12:30–2:30 p.m. | Embassy Suites, Silverton Salon 3
Theme: New Book Discussion: “Psychedelics and Soul Care: What Christians Need to Know” – A Conversation with Jaime Clark-Soles
Respondent: Jaime Clark-Soles, Perkins School of Theology, SMU
Panelist: Rebekah Miles, Perkins School of Theology, SMU
Session ID: S21-210 | 1–3:30 p.m. | Convention Center, 207
Theme: Disrupting Empires: A Review Panel on Volume I of Randall C. Bailey’s “Black Biblical Interpretation”
Panelist: Abraham Smith, Perkins School of Theology, SMU
Session ID: M21-300 | 3–5 p.m. | Sheraton, Plaza Court 4
Theme: Women and Witness in the Wesleyan and Holiness Traditions
Panelist: Priscilla Pope-Levison, Perkins School of Theology, SMU
Session ID: S21-304 | 4–6:30 p.m. | Hyatt Regency, Centennial H
Theme: Book Panel: “In Search of the Spirit” by John R. Levison
Respondent: Jack Levison, Perkins School of Theology, SMU
Sunday, November 22
Session ID: A22-114 | 9–11 a.m. | Conference Center, Mile High 2C+3C
Theme: Interreligious Studies Interactive Workshop
Presenter: Jon Carman, Southern Methodist University
Paper: “When Students Lead [complete title TK]”
Session ID: S22-115 | 9–11:30 a.m. | Convention Center, 601
Theme: Contemporary Ten Commandments Controversies
Panelist: Mark Chancey, Southern Methodist University
Session ID: S22-212 | 1–3:30 p.m. | Hyatt Regency, Mineral D
Theme: Critical Approaches to Bible and Film
Presiding: Robert Kranz, Southern Methodist University
Session ID: S22-231a | 1–3:30 p.m. | Convention Center, 604
Theme: Hebrew Bible, History, and Archaeology – Open Session
Presenter: JinRi Kim, Perkins School of Theology, SMU (1–1:20 p.m.)
Session ID: S22-236 | 1–3:30 p.m. | Convention Center, 207
Theme: Review of Warren Carter’s “Matthew: An Introduction and Commentary”
Presiding: Abraham Smith, Perkins School of Theology, SMU
Session ID: A22-421 | 5–6:30 p.m. | Conference Center, Mile High 1F
Theme: Sacred Music and Modernity
Presenter: Fernando Berwig Silva, Southern Methodist University
Session ID: M22-512 | 9–11 p.m. | Sheraton Denver, Majestic
Perkins School of Theology Alumni and Friends Reception
All Perkins alumni and friends attending AAR–SBL are invited to gather, reconnect and celebrate the Perkins community in Denver. For more information, contact Avery Pryer.
Monday, November 23
Session ID: A23-110 | 9–11 a.m. | Conference Center, 205
Theme: The Future of Theology in the University: Christian Theology, Normativity, and Religious Studies
Panelist: Natalia Marandiuc, Southern Methodist University
Session ID: S23-114a | 9–11:30 a.m. | Convention Center, Mile High 4E
Theme: Exploring Economics in the Biblical World
Presenter: Jon Carman, Southern Methodist University
Session ID: S23-125 | 9–11:30 a.m. | Convention Center, 504
Theme: Genesis – Open Session
Presenter: Susanne Scholz, Perkins School of Theology, SMU
Session ID: A23-222 | 12:30–2:30 p.m. | Conference Center, 105
Theme: A/Im/Moral Geographies: Zoning, Infrastructure, Extraction
Panelist: Isaiah Ellis, Southern Methodist University
Session ID: A23-223 | 12:30–2:30 p.m. | Conference Center, 503
Theme: “Thy Nature and Thy Name Is Love: Wesleyan and Process Theologies in Dialogue” – A 25th Anniversary Roundtable
Panelists: Bryan Stone (co-editor), Perkins School of Theology, SMU; Theodore Walker Jr., Perkins School of Theology, SMU
Session ID: A23-235 | 12:30–2:30 p.m. | Conference Center, 111
Theme: Ethical Systems at the Breaking Point: Gender, Authority, and Moral Accountability in Religious Communities
Presiding: Marie Olson Purcell, Southern Methodist University
Session ID: S23-224 | 1–3:30 p.m. | Convention Center, 401
Theme: Bible in America – Open Session
Presiding: Mark Chancey, Southern Methodist University
Session ID: S23-238 | 1–3:30 p.m. | Hyatt Regency, Capitol 5
Theme: Streaming the Bible
Presenter: Robert Kranz, Southern Methodist University (2:40–3:20 p.m.)
Session ID: A23-313 | 3–4:30 p.m. | Conference Center, 103
Theme: Prospering in the Profession: Finding Success on the Academic Job Market
Panelist: Isaiah Ellis, Southern Methodist University
Session ID: A23-318 | 3–4:30 p.m. | Conference Center, 210
Theme: Motherhood, Religion, and Material Practices: Altars, Headscarves, Traces, and Embodiment
Presenter: Natalie Readnour, Southern Methodist University
Paper: “Mothering La Raza [complete title TK]”
Session ID: A23-327 | 3–4:30 p.m. | Conference Center, 704
Theme: Honoring Karen Baker-Fletcher and her new book, “Power, Resilience, and the Black Madonna: Mamie Till and Mary at the Foot of the Cross”
Respondent: Karen Baker-Fletcher, Perkins School of Theology, SMU
Session ID: A23-409 | 5–6:30 p.m. | Conference Center, 103
Theme: Convergences: Chicana and Indigenous Futurisms, Ecofeminist Futures
Presenter: Anabella Martinez, Southern Methodist University
Session ID: A23-415 | 5–6:30 p.m. | Conference Center, Mile High 1E
Theme: Emerging Scholarship Workshop: Mexican and Mexican American Religions
Presenter: Natalie Readnour, Southern Methodist University
Paper: “Nuestra Señora de un Poquito de Justicia [complete title TK]”
Tuesday, November 24
Session ID: A24-102 | 8:30–10 a.m. | Conference Center, 205
Theme: Book Panel: Sarah Coakley’s “The Broken Body: Israel, Christ, and Fragmentation”
Presiding: Natalia Marandiuc, Southern Methodist University
Session ID: A24-121 | 10:30 a.m.–noon | Conference Center, 205
Theme: Lived Religion and “Future-Making” in the United States
Presenter: Marie Olson Purcell, Southern Methodist University