Emerging International Networks

European Society for the Study of Western Esotericism (ESSWE)

The ESSWE was founded in 2005, and is currently the largest international society dedicated to advancing the academic study of esotericism. The biannual ESSWE conference is the most important event in our field in Europe. The journal Aries and the “Aries Book Series” are both published under the auspices of ESSWE. Although the organization is based in Europe, its membership is open to individuals from all countries, and a substantial number of scholars from North America and other parts of the world participate in its major events.

The ESSWE has regional, thematic, and affiliated networks. The ESSWE encourages the establishment of networks of scholars sharing an interest in particular themes within the field.

Association for the Study of Esotericism (ASE)

The ASE was created in 2002 during a conference at Michigan State University, with the mission to “promote excellence in scholarship and teaching in the study of esotericism and mysticism.” It arranges conferences on esotericism in North America.   It is the most important scholarly organization in our field currently active in North America.

CESNUR
CESNUR (Centre for Studies on New Religions) is the largest international network for the study of new religious movements, new age, and contemporary spirituality. Based in Torino, Italy, it hosts a substantial library and organizes large international conferences on NRMs and contemporary religion every year.

ASEM

The Association for the Study of Esotericism and Mysticism (ASEM) is the foremost scholarly society in our field in Russia. Besides bringing together scholars active in the Russian language sphere and networking with the ESSWE, it hosts workshops and international conferences.

Societas Magica

Founded in 1994, Societas Magica is a scholarly society dedicated to furthering communication and exchange among scholars interested in the study of magic. It publishes a newsletter twice each year and has occasionally organized conferences and workshops. This organization is of great importance to esotericism specialists researching ritual and ceremonial magic, in any period.

ENSIE (European Network for the Study of Islam and Esotericism)

The ENSIE was established in 2016 as a thematic network of the European Society for the Study of Western Esotericism (ESSWE) to cement the place of Islam and Islamic esotericism in the field, and to cultivate a conversation about the entanglement of western esoteric currents with Islam and Islamic esotericism. 

The ENSIE has organized two successful conferences (2018, Venice; 2020, online). The proceedings of the first was published in 2021 under the title Esoteric Transfers and Constructions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, edited by Mark Sedgwick and Francesco Piraino.

SNASWE (Scandinavian Network for the Academic Study of Western Esotericism)

The purpose of SNASWE is to bring together Scandinavian and non-Scandanavian scholars interested in the study of Esotericism and to share relevant information. It facilitated the ESSWE4 conference in Gothenburg, Sweden and runs a Facebook group. The organizers of this network are also responsible for editing the reference work on Western Esotericism in Scandinavia

INASWE (Israeli Network for the Academic Study of Western Esotericism)

INASWE has mobilized scholars of Esotericism in Israel. It runs a google group, and has arranged several workshops and international conferences. Several of the INASWE events were filmed and have been made available online.

CEENASWE: Central and Eastern European Network for the Academic Study of Western Esotericism

Founded in 2014, CEENASWE is a network for the academic study of esotericism in East-Central- and South-Eastern Europe It is an affiliated regional group of ESSWE. Since its foundation it has organized a number of international conferences.

CEEO-UNASUR

Since 2011, the Centre for the Study of Western Esotericism of the Union of South American Nations (CEEO-UNASUR)has been an international network of South-American scholars, whose main mission is to advance academic research and teaching in the field of western esotericism. The Center was created by its current Director, Dr. Juan Pablo Bubello, as a result of his doctoral research training and experience as a teacher and researcher at the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina.ContERN (Contemporary Esotericism Research Network)

ContERN aims to mobilize scholars researching contemporary esoteric movements. It hosted a large international conference in Stockholm in 2012, and organizes paper and discussion panels at other conferences.

NSEA (Network for the Study of Esotericism in Antiquity)

NSEA is dedicated to advancing the study of Esotericism in and relating to Mediterranean antiquity. To this end it has created a valuable website that collects online material and references for a large number of currents, and provides news on workshops, conferences, and other relevant events.

Écoles Pratique des Hautes Études, Sorbonne (Paris, France)

The oldest university chair specializing in Western Esotericism is at the École Pratique des Hautes Études in Paris, and was established in 1965. The chair is currently held by Jean-Pierre Brach, who offers weekly seminars on esotericism, and EPHE now also offers an MA program.

Rice University (Houston, TX, USA)

The Rice University religious studies department offers a program on “Gnosticism, Esotericism, Mysticism (GEM).” The team of specialists at Rice give MA courses and supervise PhDs on various aspects of Esotericism.

University of Gothenburg (Sweden)

The Department of Literature, History of Ideas, and Religion conducts research and education in the fields of Comparative Literature, History of Ideas and Science, Religious Studies and Theology, and Theatre Studies. Western Esotericism is one of the special profiles that is offered within the Master Program of Religious Studies.

Other courses

Aspects of Esotericism are taught in an increasing number of undergraduate programs in the study of religion, across Europe and North America. A list of programs will appear here later. If you are giving university courses on esotericism, do not hesitate to get in touch with us!