Social Science Research Council Releases Report on the Religion Blogosphere

“The New Landscape of the Religion Blogosphere,” a newly released report by the Social Science Research Council (SSRC), offers an extensive overview and analysis of the increasingly prominent role played by blogs in shaping the contemporary dynamics of religion, academia, and public life.

Principally researched and written by Nathan Schneider, with additional contributions from Ruth Braunstein and the other editors of The Immanent Frame, the report examines ongoing transformations of the business of journalism, the potential consequences of new media platforms for academic careers and the dissemination of scholarly research, and the current state and future horizons of the religion blogosphere.

Drawing on a review of the work of nearly 100 blogs, as well as detailed survey responses, “The New Landscape of the Religion Blogosphere” provides both empirical data and reflection on the impact of blogging at the intersection of religion, academia, and public life.

“The purpose at hand,” write the authors, “is to foster a more self€reflective, collaborative, and mutually€aware religion blogosphere. Ideally, this report will spark discussion among religion bloggers that will take their work further, while also inviting new voices from outside existing networks to join in and take part.”

Browse the online version of the report at The Immanent Frame, or download it in full here .

Contents

1. Why bother with blogs?
2. Blogging and academia
3. The shape of the religion blogosphere
4. Religion bloggers on blogging
Appendix I: Bibliography
Appendix II: Religion blogs