Professor Adam Possamai
Interim Dean - School of Social Sciences,
Dean's Unit, School of Social Sciences
Deputy Dean - School of Social Sciences,
Dean's Unit, School of Social Sciences
Professor,
Anthropology & Sociology
Biography
Adam Possamai was Acting Dean of the Graduate Research School in 2021 and is a Professor in Sociology at Western Sydney University (WSU). He is the Deputy Dean of the School of Social Sciences, and was the Associate Dean Research and HDR (equivalent) in the School of Social Sciences and Psychology, and the Director of the Religion and Society Research Centre. He is renowned internationally for his work on popular religion, social theory, contemporary religion and Australian Aboriginal Peoples, and Muslim laws and society. He is a former President of the International Sociological Association’s Committee 22 on the Sociology of Religion, and of the Australian Association for the Study of Religions. He was the 2002–2007 co-chief editor of the Australian Religion Studies Review and an editor of the Journal of Sociology 2012-2016. His work has been published in English, French, Spanish, Romanian and Slovakian. He was a visiting Professor at the Graduate Centre of the City University of New York, the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales in Paris, and the Summer Institute of Hokkaido University, Japan (in remote). He gave the 2007 Charles Strong Lecture and the 2021 keynote address at the International Society for the Sociology of Religion. He has successfully supervised more than 15 PhD students, and has chaired in 2011, 2013, and 2017 the Australian Sociological Association’s Jean Martin Award Panel for the best sociology thesis in Australia. His latest books are Religion and Change in Australia (with David Tittensor, Routledge, 2022), The Sage Encyclopedia of the Sociology of Religion (edited with Anthony Blasi, Sage, 2020), The Social Scientific Study of Exorcism in Christianity (edited with Giuseppe Giordan, Springer, 2020), The I-zation of Society, Religion, and Neoliberal Post-Secularism (Palgrave Macmillan, 2018), Sociology of Exorcism in Late Modernity (with Giuseppe Giordan, Palgrave Macmillan, 2018), and the short stories collection Perles Noires (Rivière Blanche, 2021). He was a member of the Award Committee for the best monograph in the sociology of religion written in either English or French for the International Society for the Sociology of Religion in 2017 and 2021. He is a frequent grant assessor for the Australian Research Council, the European Science Foundation, the NZ Marsden Fund, the Research Foundation of Flanders in Belgium, the UK Economic and Social Research Council, the FWF Austrian Science Fund, CHANSE (Collaboration of Humanities and Social Sciences in Europe), and the Council for the Humanities from the Netherlands' Organisation for Scientific Research. He is a member of the ARC College of Experts (2022-2024) and as lead CI, he is the recipient of 2 ARC Discovery grants.
This information has been contributed by Professor Possamai.
Qualifications
- PhD La Trobe University
- GDipEd Catholic University of Leuven
- BSocSc Catholic University of Leuven
Professional Memberships
- President of the Sociology of Religion Section (RC22) from the International Sociological Association (2010 - 2014)
- President of the Australian Association for the Study of Religions (2003 - 2005)
- Chair of the Jean Martin Award Panel from the Australian Sociological Association (2010 - 2014)
- Chair of the Jean Martin Award Panel from the Australian Sociological Association (2016 - 2017)
- Member of the Australian Research Council College of Experts (2022 - 2024)
Organisational Unit (School / Division)
- Dean's Unit, School of Social Sciences
- Dean's Unit, School of Social Sciences
- Anthropology & Sociology
Contact
| Email: | A.Possamai@westernsydney.edu.au |
|---|---|
| Phone: |
(02) 9772 6623 |
| Mobile: |
0414327833 |
| Location: | 3.8.11 |
PLEASE NOTE: obtaining information from this Directory must be for the legitimate purposes of doing business with and within Western Sydney University, and must not be used for unsolicited bulk e-mailing (spamming) or similar purposes.
Teaching
Previous Teaching Areas
- 102201 Contemporary Theories of Religion and Society, 2018
Publications
Books
- Possamai, A., Richardson, J. and Turner, B. (2023), 'The Sociology of Shari'a: Case Studies from Around the World', : Springer 9783031271878.
- Possamai, A. and Tittensor, D. (2022), 'Religion and Change in Australia', : Routledge 9781760295837.
- Possamai, A. and Blasi, A. (2020), 'The Sage Encyclopaedia of the Sociology of Religion', : SAGE Publications 9781473942202.
- Giordan, G. and Possamai, A. (2020), 'The Social Scientific Study of Exorcism in Christianity', : Springer Nature 9783030431723.
- Possamai, A. (2018), 'The i-zation of Society, Religion, and Neoliberal Post-secularism', : Springer 9789811059414.
- Giordan, G. and Possamai, A. (2018), 'Sociology of Exorcism in Late Modernity', : Palgrave Macmillan 9783319717722.
- Michel, P., Possamai, A. and Turner, B. (2017), 'Religions, Nations and Transnationalism in Multiple Modernities', : Palgrave 9781137592385.
- Cox, J. and Possamai, A. (2016), 'Religion and Non-Religion Among Australian Aboriginal Peoples', : Routledge 9781472443830.
- Possamai, A., Richardson, J. and Turner, B. (2015), 'The Sociology of Shari'a: Case Studies from Around the World', : Springer 9783319096049.
- Henslin, J., Possamai, A. and Possamai-Inesedy, A. (2014), 'Sociology', : Pearson 9781442558830.
- Possamai, A., Richardson, J. and Turner, B. (2014), 'Legal Pluralism and Shari'a Law', : Routledge 9780415826334.
- Onnudottir, H., Possamai, A. and Turner, B. (2013), 'Religious Change and Indigenous Peoples: The Making of Religious Identities', : Ashgate 9781409448679.
- Possamai, A. (2012), 'Handbook of Hyper-real Religions', : Brill 9789004218819.
- Barbalet, J., Possamai, A. and Turner, B. (2011), 'Religion and the State: A Comparative Sociology', : Anthem Press 9780857287984.
- Henslin, J., Possamai, A. and Possamai-Inesedy, A. (2010), 'Sociology: A Down-To-Earth Approach', : Pearson 9781442517813.
- Possamai, A. (2009), 'Sociology of Religion for Generations X and Y', : Equinox 9781845537333.
- Possamai, A. (2005), 'Religion and Popular Culture: A Hyper-Real Testament', : P.I.E.-Peter Lang 9052012725.
- Possamai, A. (2005), 'In Search of New Age Spiritualities', : Ashgate Publishing Ltd 0754652130.
Chapters in Books
- Possamai, A. (2024), 'Faith and toleration in neoliberal times : Australia as a case study', The Routledge Companion to Freedom of Expression and Censorship, Routledge 9780367205348.
- Barbe-Winter, A. and Possamai, A. (2022), 'Shari'a Courts and Councils in the West', Routledge Handbook of Islam in the West, Routledge 9780367211783.
- Possamai, A. and Openshaw, K. (2022), 'Religion ', An Introduction to Sociology, Sage Publications 9781526492807.
- Possamai, A. (2021), 'Conversions et alterations dans les societes neo-liberales : multiples et en serie', La Conversion et Ses Convertis: Production et Enonciation du Chagement Individual dans le Monde Contemporain, Centre Maurice Halbwachs 9782955814222.
- Possamai, A. and Blasi, A. (2020), 'Introduction [The Sage Encyclopaedia of the Sociology of Religion]', The Sage Encyclopaedia of the Sociology of Religion, SAGE Publications 9781473942202.
- Counted, V. and Possamai, A. (2020), 'Confidence in society, exorcism, and paranormal practices : the mediating and moderating role of spirituality', The Social Scientific Study of Exorcism in Christianity, Springer Nature 9783030431723.
- Possamai, A. and Giordan, G. (2020), 'Introduction [The Social Scientific Study of Exorcism in Christianity]', The Social Scientific Study of Exorcism in Christianity, Springer Nature 9783030431723.
- Possamai, A. (2019), 'Gnostic and esoteric filaments in popular culture', The Gnostic World, Routledge 9781138673939.
- Possamai, A. (2019), 'New spiritualities in Western societies', Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Religion, Oxford University Press 9780199340378.
- Possamai, A., Roose, J., Turner, B., Dagistanli, S., Voyce, M. and Worthington, L. (2019), 'Shari'a in cyberspace : an analysis of Australian and US internet sites', The Digital Social: Religion and Belief, De Gruyter 9783110499872.
- Possamai, A. and Iouchkov, V. (2017), 'An implicit hyper-real religion : real-life superheroes', Fiction, Invention and Hyper-Reality: From Popular Culture to Religion, Routledge 9781472463029.
- Michel, P., Possamai, A. and Turner, B. (2017), 'Religions, nations and transnationalism in multiple modernities : an introduction', Religions, Nations, and Transnationalism in Multiple Modernities, Palgrave Macmillan 9781137592385.
- Milani, M., Possamai, A. and Wajdi, F. (2017), 'Branding of spiritual authenticity and nationalism in transnational Sufism', Religions, Nations, and Transnationalism in Multiple Modernities, Palgrave 9781137592385.
- Cox, J. and Possamai, A. (2016), 'Religion, cultural hybridity and chains of memory', Religion and Non-Religion Among Australian Aboriginal Peoples, Routledge 9781472443830.
- Cox, J. and Possamai, A. (2016), 'Introduction : the Australian census, religious diversity and the religions 'nones' among Indigenous Australians', Religion and Non-Religion Among Australian Aboriginal Peoples, Routledge 9781472443830.
- Voyce, M., Dagistanli, S., Possamai, A., Roose, J., Turner, B. and Worthington, L. (2016), 'Islamic inheritance and Sharia wills : the recognition of Muslim inheritance traditions in Australia', Muslim Integration: Pluralism and Multiculturalism in New Zealand and Australia, Lexington Books 9781498543538.
- Possamai, A. (2015), 'Shari'a and multiple modernities in Western countries : toward a multi-faith pragmatic modern approach rather than a legal pluralist one?', The Sociology of Shari'a: Case Studies From Around the World, Springer 9783319096049.
- Turner, B. and Possamai, A. (2015), 'Introduction : legal pluralism and Shari'a', The Sociology of Shari'a: Case Studies From Around the World, Springer 9783319096049.
- Possamai, A., Turner, B., Roose, J., Dagistanli, S. and Voyce, M. (2015), 'Perception of Shari'a in Sydney and New York newspapers', The Sociology of Shari'a: Case Studies from Around the World, Springer 9783319096049.
- Possamai, A. (2015), 'The Gracelands of multiple modernities', Modernities, Memory and Mutations: Grace Davie and the Study of Religion, Ashgate 9781472436177.
- Roose, J. and Possamai, A. (2015), 'Between rhetoric and reality : Shari'a and the shift towards neoliberal multiculturalism in Australia', Cultural, Religious and Political Contestations: The Multicultural Challenge, Springer 9783319160023.
- Bouma, G., Ezzy, D., Halafoff, A. and Possamai, A. (2015), 'Sociology of religion in Australia', Sociologies of Religion: National Traditions, Brill 9789004297296.
- Nixon, A. and Possamai, A. (2013), 'Techno-shamanism and the economy of ecstasy as a religious experience', Pop Pagan : Paganism and Popular Music, Acumen 9781844656462.
- Hussain, J. and Possamai, A. (2013), 'Australia : the down-under approach and reaction to shari'a : an impasse in post-secularism?', Applying Shari'a in the West: Fact, Fears and the Future of Islamic Rules on Family Relations in the West, Leiden University Press 9789087281700.
- Possamai, A. and Possamai-Inesedy, A. (2012), 'Battlefield Earth and Scientology : a cultural/religious industry a la Frankfurt School?', Hanbook of New Religions and Cultural Production, Brill 9789004221871.
- Onnudottir, H., Possamai, A. and Turner, B. (2012), 'Islam and Indigenous populations in Australia and New Zealand', Muslims in the West and the Challenges of Belonging, Melbourne University Press 9780522861624.
- Possamai, A. (2012), 'Yoda goes to Glastonbury : an introduction to hyper-real religions', Handbook of Hyper-Real Religions, Brill 9789004218819.
- Possamai, A. (2012), 'Conclusion : the future of hyper-real religions?', Handbook of Hyper-Real Religions, Brill 9789004218819.
- Possamai, A. and Possamai-Inesedy, A. (2011), 'Religion como una isla de seguridad o como un agente contra los peligros de la sociedad de riesgo', Educacion e investigacion ambientales y sustentabilidad, Universidad Pedagogica Nacional 9786074130973.
- Possamai, A., Turner, B. and Barbalet, J. (2011), 'Introduction : states, consumption and managing religions', Religion and the State: A Comparative Sociology, Anthem Press 9780857287984.
- Sriprakash, A. and Possamai, A. (2011), 'Hindu normalization, nationalism and consumer mobilization', Religion and the State: A Comparative Sociology, Anthem Press 9780857287984.
- Possamai, A. (2011), 'Gramsci, Jediism, the standardization of popular religion and the state', Religion and the State: A Comparative Sociology, Anthem Press 9780857287984.
- Barbalet, J., Possamai, A. and Turner, B. (2011), 'Public religions and the state : a comparative perspective', Religion and the State: A Comparative Sociology, Anthem Press 9780857287984.
- Possamai, A. and Lee, M. (2010), 'Religion and spirituality in science fiction narratives : a case of multiple modernities?', Religions of Modernity. Relocating the Sacred to the Self and the Digital, Brill 9789004193697.
- Possamai, A. (2010), 'Hiperrealidad religiosa y cultura contemporanea de la participacion en el mundo virtual de la red', Religiosidades y creencias contempraneas: Diversidades de lo simbolico en el mundo actual, El Colegio Mexiquense, A.C. 9786077761174.
- Possamai, A. and Possamai-Inesedy, A. (2009), 'Scientology Down Under', Scientology, Oxford University Press 9780195331493.
- Possamai, A. (2008), 'Australia's 'shy' de-secularisation process', Religion, Spirituality and the Social Sciences, The Policy Press 9781847420411.
- Possamai, A. (2008), 'Popular Religion', The World's Religions. Continuities and Transformations, Routledge 9780415397254.
- Possamai, A. (2007), 'Les spiritualites alternatives de la phase du capitalisme tardif', La mondialisation du phenomene religieux, MediasPaul 9782894207154.
- Possamai, A. (2007), 'Producing and Consuming New Age Spirituality: the Cultic Milieu and the Network Paradigm', Handbook of New Age, Brill 9789004153554.
- Possamai, A. and Possamai-Inesedy, A. (2007), 'Risk Society, Sustainable Development and Religion', Religion, Culture and Sustainable Development in Encyclopaedia of Life Support Systems, EOLSS Publishers under the Auspices of the UNESCO .
- Possamai, A. (2006), 'Superheroes and the development of latent abilities : a hyper-real re-enchantment', Popular Spiritualities: The Politics of Contemporary Enchantment, Ashgate Publishing Ltd 9780754639992.
- Possamai, A. (2005), 'New Age V Austr lII: Spolocensk, A Duchovn, Aspekty' [New Age in Australia: Social and Spiritual Aspects]', New Age, Ustav pre vzt'ahy statu a cirkvi 8089096190.
- Possamai, A. (2004), 'Diversity in Alternative Spiritualities: Keeping New Age at Bay', The Encyclopedic Sourcebook of New Age Religions, Prometheus Books 1591020409.
- Possamai, A. (2004), 'Nature Religions', Australia's Religious Communities: A Multimedia Exploration, Christian Research Association 1875223194.
Journal Articles
- Possamai, A., Possamai-Inesedy, A. and Piracha, A. (2023), 'The diffused religious choice when applying for a university degree in Sydney', Journal of Beliefs and Values, vol 44, no 1 , pp 16 - 31.
- Possamai, A. (2022), 'Religion, the i-zation of society and COVID-19', Social Compass, vol 69, no 2 , pp 171 - 185.
- Possamai, A., Presterudstuen, G. and Openshaw, K. (2022), 'Nothing to declare... apart from Holy Water : sacralizing borders and securitizing spiritual things in Fiji', Material Religion, vol 18, no 3 , pp 376 - 381.
- Possamai, A., Possamai-Inesedy, A., Corpuz, G. and Greenaway, E. (2022), '[In Press] Got sick of surveys or lack of social capital? : an investigation on the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown on institutional surveying', The Australian Educational Researcher, .
- Possamai, A., Openshaw, K., Khosronejad, P., Rasheed, A. and Mubashar, A. (2022), 'Ramadan : devotion, compassion, and purification in Sydney', Contemporary Islam, vol 16 , pp 193 - 207.
- Possamai, A. and Possamai-Inesedy, A. (2021), 'Freedom of religion in post-secular Australia', Social Compass, vol 68, no 3 , pp 359 - 374.
- Possamai, A., Long, G. and Counted, V. (2021), 'An analysis of Australian Research Council's grants in religion', Journal for the Academic Study of Religion, vol 34, no 1 , pp 74 - 95.
- Counted, V., Possamai, A., McAuliffe, C. and Meade, T. (2020), 'Attachment to Australia, attachment to God, and quality of life outcomes among African Christian diasporas in New South Wales : a cross-sectional study', Journal of Spirituality in Mental Health, vol 22, no 1 , pp 65 - 95.
- Baldwin, J. and Possamai, A. (2020), 'Hyper-real religion : an interview with Adam Possamai', International Journal of Baudrillard Studies, vol 16, no 1 .
- Possamai, A. and Long, G. (2020), 'Losing faith in the classification and evaluation of research : a meta-metrics approach to research on religion in Australia', Australian Universities' Review, vol 62, no 1 , pp 3 - 9.
- Tittensor, D., Hoffstaedter, G. and Possamai, A. (2020), 'Hyper-securitisation and belonging : understanding the plight of young Muslims in Melbourne, Australia', Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs, vol 40, no 3 , pp 480 - 496.
- Possamai, A., Jinks, T. and Counted, V. (2020), 'Conventional and unconventional forms of religiosity : identifying predictive factors and wellbeing outcomes', Journal for the Study of Spirituality, vol 10, no 2 , pp 155 - 170.
- Possamai, A. (2020), 'Doug Cowan, Magic, Monsters, and Make-Believe Heroes: How Myth and Religion Shape Fantasy Culture', Journal for the Academic Study of Religion, vol 33, no 1 , pp 103 - 104.
- Possamai, A. (2020), 'La mondialisation, l'i-zation de la societe et le Covid-19', Diogene, vol 271-272, no 3-4 , pp 191 - 204.
- Possamai, A., Battin, J., Counted, V. and Jinks, T. (2020), 'Reassessing the bounded affinity theory of religion and the paranormal : formative and ongoing religious rituals', Culture and Religion, vol 21, no 3 , pp 298 - 312.
- Possamai, A., Dagistanli, S., Turner, B. and Voyce, M. (2019), 'Shari'a in Sydney and New York : a perspective from professionals and leaders dealing with Islamic law', Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations, vol 30, no 1 , pp 69 - 85.
- Possamai, A. (2019), 'An Italian-born Belgo-Australian sociologist of religion', Journal for the Academic Study of Religion, vol 32, no 2-3 , pp 248 - 261.
- Giordan, G. and Possamai, A. (2018), 'Mastering the devil : a sociological analysis of the practice of a Catholic exorcist', Current Sociology, vol 66, no 1 , pp 74 - 91.
- Dagistanli, S., Possamai, A., Turner, B., Voyce, M. and Roose, J. (2018), 'The limits of multiculturalism in Australia? : the Shari'a flogging case of R v. Raad, Fayed, Cifci and Coskun', The Sociological Review, vol 66, no 6 , pp 1258 - 1275.
- Counted, V., Possamai, A. and Meade, T. (2018), 'Relational spirituality and quality of life 2007 to 2017 : an integrative research review', Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, vol 16, no 1 .
- Possamai, A., Cheng, J., Lathion, S. and Voyce, M. (2017), 'Representations of Sharia in three global cities : Sydney, New York and Geneva 2008-2013', Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations, vol 28, no 1 , pp 1 - 17.
- Possamai, A., Dagistanli, S. and Voyce, M. (2017), 'Shari'a in everyday life in Sydney : an analysis of professionals and leaders dealing with Islamic Law', Journal for the Academic Study of Religion, vol 30, no 2 , pp 109 - 128.
- Possamai, A. (2017), 'Post-secularism in multiple modernities', Journal of Sociology, vol 53, no 4 , pp 822 - 835.
- Milani, M. and Possamai, A. (2016), 'Sufism, spirituality and consumerism : the case study of the Nimatullahiya and Naqshbandiya Sufi orders in Australia', Contemporary Islam, vol 10, no 1 , pp 67 - 85.
- Possamai, A., Dunn, K., Hopkins, P., Amin, F., Worthington, L. and Ali, J. (2016), 'Muslim students' religious and cultural experiences in the micro-publics of university campuses in NSW, Australia', Australian Geographer, vol 47, no 3 , pp 311 - 324.
- Possamai, A., Turner, B., Cheng, J., Voyce, M. and Dagistanli, S. (2016), 'Shari'a and everyday life in Sydney', Australian Geographer, vol 47, no 3 , pp 341 - 354.
- Possamai, A., Dunn, K., Hopkins, P., Worthington, L. and Amin, F. (2016), 'Muslim students' cultural and religious experiences in city, suburban and regional university campuses in NSW, Australia', Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, vol 38, no 6 , pp 637 - 648.
- Possamai, A., Turner, B., Roose, J., Dagistanli, S. and Voyce, M. (2016), 'Shari'a in cyberspace : a case study from Australia', Sociologica: Italian Journal of Sociology, vol 2016, no 1 , pp 1 - 22.
- Giordan, G. and Possamai, A. (2016), 'The over-policing of the devil : a sociology of exorcism', Social Compass, vol 63, no 4 , pp 444 - 460.
- Giordan, G. and Possamai, A. (2016), 'Branding the devil in New Age and Catholicism : a sociology of exorcism', Religioni e Societa, vol 86 , pp 90 - 96.
- Possamai, A. (2015), 'Popular and lived religions', Current Sociology, vol 63, no 6 , pp 781 - 799.
- Sriprakash, A., Possamai, A. and Brackenreg, E. (2014), 'Cosmopolitan tensions : religious diversity in an Australian university', Australian Educational Researcher, vol 41, no 3 , pp 227 - 242.
- Cox, J. and Possamai, A. (2014), 'Religion, "non-religion" and indigenous peoples on the 2011 Australian National Census', Diskus, vol 16, no 2 , pp 31 - 44.
- Possamai, A. (2014), 'Popular and lived religions', Sociopedia.isa, .
- Possamai, A. and Possamai-Inesedy, A. (2014), 'Cultural framing of risk and religion within science fiction narratives', Journal for the Academic Study of Religion, vol 27, no 1 , pp 94 - 113.
- Possamai, A., Sriprakash, A., Brackenreg, E. and McGuire, J. (2014), 'Chaplaincies in a "post-secular" multicultural university', Fieldwork in Religion, vol 9, no 2 , pp 147 - 165.
- Onnudottir, H., Possamai, A., Turner, B. and Kennedy, M. (2013), 'Australian Aboriginal Muslims in prison', Journal of Intercultural Studies, vol 34, no 3 , pp 280 - 294.
- Milani, M. and Possamai, A. (2013), 'The Nimatullahiya and Naqshbandiya Sufi orders on the Internet : the cyber-construction of tradition and the McDonaldisation of spirituality', Journal for the Academic Study of Religion, vol 26, no 1 , pp 51 - 75.
- Possamai, A., Turner, B., Roose, J., Dagistanli, S. and Voyce, M. (2013), 'Defining the conversation about Shari'a : representations in Australian newspapers', Current Sociology, vol 61, no 5-6 , pp 626 - 645.
- Possamai, A. and Turner, B. (2012), 'Authority and liquid religion in cyber-space : the new territories of religious communication', International Social Science Journal, vol 63, no 209-210 , pp 197 - 206.
- Possamai, A. and Lee, M. (2011), 'Hyper-real religions: Fear, anxiety and late-modern religious innovation', Journal of Sociology, vol 47, no 3 , pp 227 - 242.
- Voyce, M. and Possamai, A. (2011), 'Legal pluralism, family personal laws, and the rejection of Shari'a in Australia: A case of multiple or "clashing" modernities?', Democracy and Security, vol 7, no 4 , pp 338 - 353.
- Voyce, M. and Possamai, A. (2011), 'Legal pluralism, family personal laws, and the rejection of Shari'a in Australia: A case of multiple or "clashing" modernities?', Democracy and Security, vol 7, no 4 , pp 338 - 353.
- Possamai, A. (2011), 'Political culture, the Nation of Islam, the Nuwaubian Nation and the Muslim Brotherhood : a review article', Alternative Spirituality and Religion Review, vol 2, no 2 , pp 356 - 368.
- Onnudottir, H., Possamai, A. and Turner, B. (2010), 'Islam: A New Religious Vehicle for Aboriginal Self-Empowerment in Australia?', International Journal for the Study of New Religions, vol 1, no 1 , pp 49 - 74.
- Stevenson, D., Dunn, K., Possamai, A. and Piracha, A. (2010), 'Religious belief across 'post-secular' Sydney : the multiple trends in (de)secularisation', Australian Geographer, vol 41, no 3 , pp 323 - 350.
- Possamai, A. and Brackenreg, E. (2009), 'Religious and spirituality diversity at a multi-campus suburban university : what type of need for chaplaincy?', Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, vol 31, no 4 , pp 355 - 366.
- Possamai, A., Bellamy, J. and Castle, K. (2007), 'The Diffusion of New Age Beliefs and Practices among Australian Church Attenders', Fieldwork in Religion, vol 2, no 1 , pp 9 - 26.
- Possamai, A. (2007), ''Secularisation' and 'Religon' as Zombie Categories', Australian Religion Studies Review, vol 20, no 2 , pp 233 - 242.
- Possamai, A. and Possamai-Inesedy, A. (2007), 'The Baha'i faith and Caodaism. Migration, change and de-secularization(s) in Australia', Journal of Sociology, vol 43, no 3 , pp 301 - 317.
- Possamai, A. (2006), '2005 AASR Presidential Address. Ways and Means for the Third Millenium: National Associations for the Study of Religions', Australian Religion Studies Review, vol 19, no 1 , pp 3 - 17.
- Possamai, A. and Lee, M. (2004), 'New Religious Movements and the Fear of Crime', Journal of Contemporary Religion, vol 19, no 3 , pp 337 - 352.
- Possamai, A. (2004), 'Intellectuals of the Other in Religion: Fear and Fascination', Australian Religion Studies Review, vol 17, no 2 , pp 10 - 19.
- Possamai, A. (2003), 'Alternative Spiritualities and the Cultural Logic of Late Capitalism', Culture and Religion, vol 4 , pp 31 - 46.
- Possamai, A. (2003), 'The Social Construction of Comic Books as a (Non) Recognised Form of Art in Australia', Form/Work, vol 6 , pp 109 - 122.
- Possamai, A. (2003), 'Alternative Spiritualities, New Religious Movements and Jediism in Australia', Australian Religion Studies Review, vol 16, no 2 , pp 69 - 86.
- Possamai, A. (2002), 'Secrecy and Consumer Culture: an exploration of esotericism in contemporary society using the work of Simmel and Baudrillard', Australian Religion Studies Review, vol 15, no 1 , pp 44 - 56.
- Possamai, A. (2002), 'Cultural consumption of history and popular culture in alternative spiritualities', Journal of consumer culture, vol 2, no 2 , pp 197 - 218.
- Possamai, A. (2001), 'Not the New Age: Perennism and Spiritual Knowledges', Australian Religion Studies Review, vol 14, no 1 , pp 82 - 96.
Conference Papers
- Possamai, A. (2007), 'The 2007 Charles Strong Lecture. Yoda Goes to the Vatican: Youth Spirituality and Popular Culture', The 2007 Australian Association for the Study of Religions Conference. The end of the World as we Know it? New Directions in australian Spirituality, Melbourne.
Other Publications
- 2022, 'Amarama', Published Work
- 2021, 'Perles Noires', Published Work
- 2018, 'La Reflexion de Borgia', Published Work
- 2017, 'L'histoire Extraordinaire de Baudelaire', Published Work
- 2015, 'Le Crepuscule de Torquemada', Published Work
- 2012, 'Le XXIe siecle de Dickerson et Ferra', Published Work
- 2005, 'Perles Noires', Published Work
My research focus is on the Sociology of Religion and Change, and the central questions it addresses are:
-How do religion and spirituality affect sociocultural changes in late modernity?
-How does the constant pace of change in late modernity affect religion and spirituality?
-How do religion and spirituality provide stability and, vice versa, how can these be perceived as a source of instability and threat in late modernity?
This work is undertaken through 7 interrelated research streams: 1- New Religious Movements and Alternative Spiritualities; 2- Religion and Social Theory; 3- Religion, Deviance and Law; 4- New Religious Migrant Groups; 5-Religion and Popular Culture; 6- Muslim Communities in Secular Societies; and 7- Creative Works with Religious Themes.
As a Sociologist following a Weberian approach, I research the social meaning that movements and individuals give to their actions, and the effects of these meanings and actions on the sociocultural structure of Western Societies. As a Public Sociologist, my work is firstly to translate the multitude of ways in which social actors think and act and secondly, to disseminate my interpretations to the broader community through publications and engagement with the media. By disseminating my work and findings as widely as possible, it is my intention to contribute to the study and promotion of religious diversity.
This information has been contributed by Professor Possamai.
Current Projects
| Title: | Being a Transnational Muslim in Australia in an Era of Hyper-Security |
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| Western Researchers: | Adam Possamai |
| Years: | 2022-07-01 - 2026-06-30 |
| ID: | P00027289 |
Previous Projects
| Title: | Non-Religion amongst Australian Aboriginal Peoples |
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| Western Researchers: | Adam Possamai and George Morgan |
| Years: | 2012-11-13 - 2014-01-31 |
| ID: | P00021174 |
| Title: | Muslims on Campus: University Life for Muslim students in Australia |
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| Western Researchers: | Adam Possamai and Kevin Dunn |
| Years: | 2012-11-15 - 2015-02-06 |
| ID: | P00021215 |
| Title: | Alternative Spiritualities and the Internet: a re-enchantment of the world? |
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| Western Researchers: | Adam Possamai |
| Years: | 2003-01-25 - 2004-06-30 |
| ID: | P0011692 |
| Title: | The De-Secularisation of Sydney's Western Suburbs via the Outreach Activities of New Religious Movements and New Migrant Religious Movements. |
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| Western Researchers: | Adam Possamai |
| Years: | 2001-01-01 - 2001-12-31 |
| ID: | P0011882 |
| Title: | Testing the limits of post-secularism and multiculturalism in Australia, France and the USA: Shari'a in the everyday life of Muslim communities |
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| Western Researchers: | Adam Possamai and Selda Dagistanli |
| Years: | 2012-07-01 - 2016-02-29 |
| ID: | P00020137 |
| Title: | Islam, youth masculinities and place: international perspectives |
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| Western Researchers: | Kevin Dunn and Adam Possamai |
| Years: | 2010-11-17 - 2011-11-16 |
| ID: | P00019468 |
| Title: | Experience of Muslims in Australian and US courts |
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| Western Researchers: | Adam Possamai and David Tait |
| Years: | 2011-11-09 - 2013-02-28 |
| ID: | P00020502 |
Supervision
Professor Possamai is available to be a principal supervisor for doctoral projects
Current Supervision
| Thesis Title: | Megachurch Success in the Age of Radical Modernity: An Analysis of the Role of Co-Sanctified Lexicons in Three American Cities |
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| Field of Research: | Religious Studies |
| Thesis Title: | University Chaplaincy in Australia (More extended proposal available with brief literature review and references) |
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| Thesis Title: | Religious Leaders and Development Policies in Contemporary Indonesia: The Case of the Role of Islamic Tuan Guru in Socio-Economic Regional Development of the Post Suharto Indonesia |
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| Thesis Title: | Madinah Van Java: Identity and Ideology Negotiation of Tablighi in Temboro, Magetan, Indonesia |
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| Thesis Title: | Understanding Identity and Social Representations of Indonesian Atheist |
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| Thesis Title: | Majlis Youth: Becoming New Actors for Conservative Islamic Movement in Indonesia |
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| Thesis Title: | Authority and Popularity The Communication Strategies of Urban Clerics in Obtaining Credibility |
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| Thesis Title: | Bridging the Relationship between the Government and Extremists Muslim communities to tackle terrorism and violent extremism in Indonesia. |
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Previous Supervision
| Thesis Title: | Online Abuse of Australian: The Dark Underbelly of Social Media. |
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| Field of Research: | Studies In Human Society |
| Thesis Title: | Sold Out! An Ethnographic Study of Australian Indie Music Festivals |
| Field of Research: | Sociology |
| Thesis Title: | Going Walkabout Together Through the Suburbs |
| Field of Research: | Social Work |
| Thesis Title: | Avoiding the Stain of Religion: Attitudes toward Social Engagement amongst Australian Tibetan Buddhists |
| Field of Research: | Society And Culture; Religious Studies |
| Thesis Title: | Women's Wellbeing through Creative Arts and Spriritual Practice: Reclaiming a Space for the Emergence of Self within Community |
| Field of Research: | Visual Arts And Crafts; Visual Arts And Crafts, N.e.c.; Other Society And Culture |
| Thesis Title: | Vanguards of Vaishnavism: Faith and Social Organisation in Two Hare Krishna Intentional Communities |
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| Thesis Title: | Chained to the Kitchen Sink? Sydney Muslim Women's Public Sphere Activity |
| Field of Research: | Other Society And Culture |
| Thesis Title: | Social Welfare Program of Islamic Political Party: A Case Study of Bangladesh Jama'at-E-Islami |
| Field of Research: | Religious Studies; Counselling; Other Society And Culture |
| Thesis Title: | Australian Muslim Families in the Australian Legal System: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Parenting Order Judgments |
| Field of Research: | Society And Culture |
| Thesis Title: | Folk-Islam and Muslim Women's Gender Perceptions in Urban Bangladesh |
| Field of Research: | Society And Culture, N.e.c. |
| Thesis Title: | "With Us or Against Us?" Hegemony and Ideology within American Superhero Comic Books 2001-2008 |
| Field of Research: | Sociology; Political Science |
| Thesis Title: | New Atheism as a Case of Competitive Postsecular World Views |
| Field of Research: | Studies In Human Society; Society And Culture, N.e.c.; Philosophy And Religious Studies |
| Thesis Title: | `The Hero with a Thousand Graces': a socio-criminological examination of the `Real-Life Superhero' phenomenon |
| Field of Research: | Sociology |
| Thesis Title: | The Lived Experiences of Progressive Muslims: Exploring the Limits of Individualisation |
| Field of Research: | Sociology; Religious Studies; Other Society And Culture |
| Thesis Title: | The Dynamics of Salafism in Pekanbaru: From Deprived Muslims to a Community of Memory |
| Field of Research: | Sociology; Other Society And Culture |
| Thesis Title: | TEDified Islam: Postsecular Storytelling in New Media |
| Field of Research: | Religious Studies |
| Thesis Title: | Attachment and quality of life in Australian religious African diasporas: a mixed methods study |
| Field of Research: | Architecture And Urban Environment; Psychology; Other Society And Culture |
Media
| Title: | Exorcism is something we can???t quite quit |
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| Description: | Los Angeles Times |
| Title: | Virgins, Vampires & Superheroes |
| Description: | The Spirit of Things (ABC) |
| Title: | Dark arts take root in online church |
| Description: | The Sydney Morning Herald |
| Title: | From out of the shadows, vampires step into the light |
| Description: | The Age |
| Title: | Hyper-Real Religion, Digital Capitalism, and the Pygmalion Effect |
| Description: | The Religious Studies Project |
| Title: | Sharia living - the image and the reality |
| Description: | SBS |
| Title: | The Invented Religions of Today Would Have Made Zero Sense 100 Years Ago |
| Description: | Inverse |
| Title: | The misguided moral panic over Slender Man |
| Description: | The Drum |
| Title: | Call for understanding of Indigenous Muslims |
| Description: | SBS |
| Title: | Exorcisms Are Not a Substitute for Healthcare |
| Description: | VICE |
| Title: | Parramatta and Cumberland Census results show atheism on the rise |
| Description: | The Daily Telegraph |
| Title: | The Jedi Faithful |
| Description: | Pacific Standard |