ISGA Initiates Research Fellow Program

The Institute for the Study of Global Anabaptism (ISGA) has recently gathered several scholars from around the world to collaborate on research related to Global Anabaptist-Mennonite history and theology. This initiative grows out of ISGA’s mission to foster academic research oriented toward the beliefs and practices of the global church and to nurture a closer sense of fellowship among Anabaptist-Mennonites around the world. The newly-appointed Research Fellows will join with the ISGA in promoting a deeper understanding of our global fellowship and communicating the vitality and growth evident within the tradition.

The ISGA has identified four scholars from around the world to begin this work: Danang Kristiawan (Indonesia), Luis Tapia (Chile/USA), Anicka Fast (Burkina Faso/Canada), and David Irala (Paraguay/England).  The Research Fellows share the commitments articulated by historians, archivists, and church leaders at the “Power and Preservation Symposium” facilitated by the ISGA in 2019 (see the Fall 2019 Rhizome for more details) and have agreed on the importance of recognizing “the power of historical memory as a potential source of theological identity and church renewal.” Each scholar is currently engaged in translation work of some kind, building bridges between their discipline, their research findings, and specific church contexts.

The Research Fellows will serve for two-year terms, supporting the work of the ISGA not only through research and writing but also by providing counsel to the ISGA Director and representing the ISGA in local settings for specific ISGA projects (e.g., the Global Anabaptist Wiki, GAMEO, or translation projects).

To support the work of the Research Fellows, the ISGA will provide a research/book budget of up to $500 annually, convene Zoom (or in person) meetings 2-3 times a year, and regularly feature their scholarship in our Rhizome newsletter. We welcome Anicka, Danang, David, and Luis to the ongoing work of the ISGA!

Read Short Bios of the ISGA Research Fellows HERE.

Read about updates to the Global Anabaptist Wiki website and other ISGA news HERE.