Interreligious Dialogue in the Classroom: A Qualitative PhD Study KU Leuven in Belgium

KU Leuven is offering a PhD position in Interreligious Dialogue in the Classroom: A Qualitative Study, situated across the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies and the Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology. The project is part of a wider comparative research initiative, Interreligious Dialogue between Promise and Power: A Comparative Study of Belgium/Flanders and Morocco, led by Prof. Marianne Moyaert and Prof. Nadia Fadil.

The doctoral researcher will study how interreligious dialogic learning (IDL) is implemented in Flemish philosophy of life education. The project focuses on the classroom as a site where religious diversity, power, normativity, inclusion, exclusion, privilege, and social context shape educational encounters. Using qualitative and ethnographic methods such as participant observation, interviews, and document analysis, the PhD will examine how teachers and students experience dialogic practices, and how norms and expectations are negotiated, internalized, contested, or resisted.

This is an interdisciplinary project connecting religious studies, theology, anthropology, and educational sciences. The successful candidate will contribute to theoretical development, publish scholarly articles, present at conferences, and work toward a doctoral dissertation. The project also includes engagement with education professionals and broader societal stakeholders, making it relevant both academically and socially.

Applicants should have, or be close to completing, a relevant research master’s or academic master’s degree in theology and religion, educational sciences, social sciences, anthropology, or another aligned discipline. A Master’s in World Religions combined with a non-theological academic master’s degree is also accepted. Before starting, the candidate must be admitted to the doctoral program at KU Leuven’s Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies. Strong interest in qualitative research is essential; ethnographic experience is an asset. Fluency in Dutch is required for fieldwork, and good English is needed for academic writing and international collaboration.

The appointment is for one year full time, with the possibility of renewal for up to four years after positive evaluation. KU Leuven offers a competitive doctoral salary and a research budget for conferences, workshops, and training. The position is ideally set to begin on 1 February 2027.

For questions, prospective applicants may contact Prof. Dr. Marianne Moyaert ([email protected]) or Prof. Dr. Nadia Fadil ([email protected]). Applications must be submitted through the KU Leuven job portal before the deadline.