Religious Experience Research Centre
Encyclopedia
The Religious Experience Research Centre was founded by the distinguished marine biologist Professor Alister Hardy
FRS in 1969 as The Religious Experience Research Unit. He and his co-researchers began to gather a unique archive of accounts of religious experience
and to publish research into the area. The maintenance of both the archives and the research and publications have continued. The Centre organises conferences and produces both books and a series of Occasional Papers on religious experience and spirituality.
Sir Alister was awarded the Templeton Prize
for Progress In Religion in 1985 and the Centre has since received a grant from the Templeton Foundation for the computerisation of the archives. The Centre was located at Manchester College, Oxford from 1969-1989 and from 1989–1999 at Westminster College, Oxford
. In 2000 the Centre moved to the University of Wales, Lampeter
.
The directors of the Centre are currently Drs. Greg Barker and Bettina Schmidt and Ms. Sally Wilkinson..
Alister Hardy
Sir Alister Clavering Hardy, FRS was an English marine biologist, expert on zooplankton and marine ecosystems...
FRS in 1969 as The Religious Experience Research Unit. He and his co-researchers began to gather a unique archive of accounts of religious experience
Religious experience
Religious experience is a subjective experience in which an individual reports contact with a transcendent reality, an encounter or union with the divine....
and to publish research into the area. The maintenance of both the archives and the research and publications have continued. The Centre organises conferences and produces both books and a series of Occasional Papers on religious experience and spirituality.
Sir Alister was awarded the Templeton Prize
Templeton Prize
The Templeton Prize is an annual award presented by the Templeton Foundation. Established in 1972, it is awarded to a living person who, in the estimation of the judges, "has made an exceptional contribution to affirming life's spiritual dimension, whether through insight, discovery, or practical...
for Progress In Religion in 1985 and the Centre has since received a grant from the Templeton Foundation for the computerisation of the archives. The Centre was located at Manchester College, Oxford from 1969-1989 and from 1989–1999 at Westminster College, Oxford
Westminster College, Oxford
Westminster College was a college of higher education in England. The college was founded in London in 1851 as a training institute for teachers for Methodist schools, and moved to Oxford in 1959. Following the move, the college also began to offer degree courses in Theology and Education. In 2000,...
. In 2000 the Centre moved to the University of Wales, Lampeter
University of Wales, Lampeter
University of Wales, Lampeter is a university in Lampeter, Wales. Founded in 1822 by royal charter, it is the oldest degree awarding institution in Wales and may be the third oldest in England and Wales after Oxford and Cambridge...
.
The directors of the Centre are currently Drs. Greg Barker and Bettina Schmidt and Ms. Sally Wilkinson..