Centre for Studies in Religion and Society (CSRS) - UVic

10/02/2026

We are excited to welcome visiting scholar Rastislav Nemec to the Scholars in the Square lecture series. In person only on Wednesday. Bring your lunch and join the conversation!

10/02/2026

A great introduction to CSRS graduate fellow Bruna Brito and her work on ritual, dance, and cultural preservation in the context of Brazilian Carnival.

Bruna Brito, who grew up counting the days until Carnival, now studies the communities behind these parades as a PhD student at UVic’s Gustavson School of Business, Gill Graduate School.

Once a year, Brazil’s streets burst with rhythm, color and music, as Afro-Brazilian groups preserve culture, sustain connection and show resilience against centuries of oppression.

Bruna explains her goal: “to understand how organizations of marginalized groups persist and endure, how they develop continuity across time despite all the systemic problems they face.” She continues, “Carnival in Brazil is a celebration of Afro-Brazilian groups, and there’s a whole context of slavery, colonization and oppression entangled with that celebration.” One example is Vai-Vai, a samba school which has been thriving for almost 96 years. “Not only have they survived, but they’ve thrived— against the odds,” Bruna shares.

She studies how these communities organize and sustain themselves behind the scenes, immersing herself in their music, parades and everyday work.

Bruna’s advice for those considering a PhD, especially international and underrepresented scholars:

“Do it. It’s going to be hard, especially as an international student. You will have to navigate so many challenges, especially language and culture, but if you truly believe in the importance of what you’re researching, it pays off. Remember that you bring your own unique way of seeing the world, no matter what intersections you have in your own identity, and that’s your advantage.”

Head to the link read her full story.

https://www.uvic.ca/gustavson/stories/phd-research/more-than-a-party.php

09/21/2026

Taking the show on the road this week to celebrate the launch of Rachel and Spencer Greening's new Ts'msyen cookbook. Join us Thursday at the Museum for interactive discussion and delicious insights! 'msyenKitchen UVic Humanities

09/15/2026

Scholars in the Square is back! Join us Thursday as CSRS faculty fellow and English prof Christopher Douglas looks at the ways ancient religion continues to inform contemporary fiction. Register for in person attendance on our events page: uvic.ca/csrs/events, or join us remotely via Zoom using the button on that same page. UVic Humanities

07/17/2026

Congratulations to CSRS associate fellow Lytton McDonnell on the release of his superb new book, Counterpoints of Ecstasy (SUNY 2026). Lytton tells the story of a "cultural history of the relationship between music and trance in America, from the early colonial era to the Jazz Age." Well done, Lytton!

05/19/2026

Food connects us to time, people, places, traditions. This is perhaps particularly significant for diaspora communities. Join us Wednesday for the final CSRS summer lecture as Simi Kang explores food as practice.

05/11/2026

Join us Wednesday for a lecture and discussion with Rory Dickson (UWinnipeg) on Sufism as philosophy and spiritual practice. Online or in person. The University of Winnipeg

05/03/2026

A fun change of pace this week with UVic scholar and librarian Matthew Huculak. Where did our libraries and their systems come from, and where are they headed? And what does religion have to do with either? Join us Wednesday for the next instalment in our summer series. Please note the noon start time. UVic Humanities UVic History Department

04/27/2026

In Nigeria, the realm of reproductive health is fraught; providers have to be concerned about the welfare of their clients, but also wider religious, cultural, legal and political battles over norms and expectations. Aminat Muibi (UVic, Business) introduces us to the challenges this Wednesday in the next instalment our Spring Lecture Series. Join us!

04/21/2026

What can Buddhist monks tell us about navigating thorny issues of religion and law? Join us as visiting scholar Ben Schonthal describes some of the challenges and lessons from Southern Asia. In-person only.