CURA
the oldest center for the study of religion and world affairs in the United States, is dedicated to supporting research and education on the role of religion in world affairs.
Latest Stories
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Martyrs and Migrants: Coptic Christians and the Persecution Politics of US Empire
Join us Monday, March 2, for a lecture by 2024-25 CURA Fellow Candace Lukasik. The subject of conversation with be Read more
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Fasting and Spirituality: A Conversation with BU Chaplains
Fasting as a spiritual practice is deeply rooted in ancient Judaism. The Israelites fasted during times of mourning or calamity Read more
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CURA Colloquium • Spring 2026
CURA announces the spring 2026 colloquium schedule. This year-long conversation brings together an interdisciplinary community of scholars of culture, religion, Read more
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2026 Conference on the Jewish Left Call for Workshop Proposals
DEADLINE November 17, 2025 at Noon The 2026 Conference on the Jewish Left, taking place at Boston University on Thursday, Read more
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Is the World Becoming More Religious?
Join us on November 18 at 2 PM for a discussion of the Pew Research Center's new report analyzing religious Read more
Fast Facts
CURA is an academic research center with a public mission to lift up the peacemakers, and we’ve been doing that for 40 yearsJeremy Menchik
The Jewish left Event
Each year, CURA Fellows join bimonthly sessions at BU to refine research aligned with a shared theme—fostering deep academic dialogue before publication.
Colloquium Program
Since 1985, CURA has supported 140+ global projects, resulting in the publication of over 160 books on religion and world affairs.
CURA Publications
BU’s World Religion Database offers comprehensive global statistics on religious affiliation—past, present, and future—based on censuses and expert estimates.
World Religion Database