ESSWE11

The 11th Biennial Conference of the

European Society for the Study of Western Esotericism

ALTERNATIVE EPISTEMOLOGIES

University of Turku, Finland, June 16–19, 2027

One of the most fundamental questions, both historically and today, concerns how knowledge is produced and legitimized—and it is increasingly clear that these processes are currently undergoing rapid and far-reaching change. New alternative epistemologies are emerging at a rapid pace, as we seek diverse perspectives on global politics, equality and justice, as well as on the environment and nature, threatened by climate change and mass extinction. Conspiracy theories and alternative epistemologies are challenging the legitimacy of scientific knowledge, while new feminist ecologies and magical or creative practices are reshaping art and culture. These––and many others––new epistemologies and theoretical approaches also offer fresh insights into the past and historical materials. The ESSWE11 conference invites participants to explore and discuss various aspects of esotericism in relation to alternative epistemologies and rationalities in the broadest sense.

Esotericism, by definition, is closely linked to the concept of knowledge. It can be approached as seeking higher, absolute or salvational knowledge, gnosis. Since ancient times, Gnosis has denoted a spiritual insight that reveals the significance and purpose of humankind as part of the cosmos and of creation at large. The ways and means of acquiring knowledge have often reached beyond and above the generally accepted ways of producing knowledge that existed at the time. Esoteric knowledge is also associated with the tension between concealment and revealing, which may relate to difficulties in communication, but also to power struggles, social resistance or educational pursuits. Alternative knowledge systems are also intrinsically linked to creative practices and imagination.

At this ESSWE conference, esotericism will be explored by focusing on alternative epistemologies, knowledge systems and legitimization by which people seek not only to express what they perceive as higher knowledge, but also as some kind of solution to various needs and challenges past and present.

Confirmed keynote speakers are:

·  Professor Kocku von Stuckrad, University of Groeningen, The Netherlands

·  Professor Siv Ellen Kraft, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø

·  Associate Professor Anya Foxen, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and the Center for the Study of World Religions at Harvard University

The conference web pages will be open in Summer 2026 and the Call for Papers will be announced in October 2026.

Organized by:

European Society for the Study of Western Esotericism (ESSWE), University of Turku (UTU), The Center for the Study of Christian Cultures (CSCC), The Finnish Society for the Study of Religions (FSSR), The Donner Institute (DI), The Polin Institute (PI), The Åbo Akademi University (ÅA)

Organisational team:

Tiina Mahlamäki, Nina Kokkinen, Sofia Sjö, Anna-Stina Hägglund, Reima Välimäki, Minna Opas, Tuomas Martikainen, Jussi Sohlberg, Laura Wickström, Måns Broo

Scientific committee:

Tiina Mahlamäki, Nina Kokkinen, Adas Diržys, Tim Rudbøg, Lauri Ockenström