Programme announced for ASREC 2026 conference hosted by Warwick in Venice

Programme announced for ASREC 2026 conference hosted by Warwick in Venice

Final details of the programme for the 2026 conference of the Association for the Study of Religion, Economics, and Culture (ASREC), being hosted by Warwick in Venice, have now been announced.

Co-ordinated by Professor Sascha Becker (Warwick) and Dr Valeria Rueda (Nottingham), this year’s conference will take place on 25 and 26 September at the Warwick in Venice Centre, Italy and brings together researchers from across the social sciences to explore how religion and culture shape societies, economies and political systems.

Three prestigious keynote speakers are confirmed:

• 2025 Nobel Laureate Professor Joel Mokyr (Northwestern University). Professor Mokry researches the economic history of Europe with a focus on 1750 – 1914. He was awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences (with Philippe Aghion and Peter Howitt) for his pioneering work on the historical foundations of innovation-driven growth.
• Dr Mara Squicciarini (Bocconi University). Dr Squicciarini is internationally recognised for her research on the economics of religion and culture, investigating how beliefs, education and institutions influence innovation, political outcomes and long-term economic development.
• Dr Saumitra Jha (Stanford University). Dr Jha researches how economic institutions, trade, and financial markets can foster trust, reduce conflict and polarization, and strengthen cooperation across diverse communities.

The programme also features a suite of parallel sessions led by experts in the field, exploring topics including the influence of religion on innovation, and gender, religion and social norms.

Founded in 2000, ASREC is a leading international network for scholars studying religion and culture through the lens of the social sciences, with a distinctive focus on economic approaches and interdisciplinary research.

Professor Sascha Becker said:

“It’s a privilege to co-organise ASREC Europe at Warwick’s premises in Venice. We are delighted to have attracted three top researchers as keynote speakers, including Nobel Laureate Joel Mokyr. The conference will be a highlight of the academic calendar this year. “

• Conferences | Association for the Study of Religion, Economics, and Culture