Doctor Adam Possamai
CO-DIRECTOR, RELIGION & SOCIETY RESEARCH CENTRE,
Religion and Society Research Centre
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR,
Religion and Society Research Centre
Personal
Qualifications
- BSocSc Catholic University of Leuven
- GDipEd Catholic University of Leuven
- PhD La Trobe University
UWS Organisational Unit (School / Division)
- Religion and Society Research Centre
- Religion and Society Research Centre
Contact
| Email: | A.Possamai@uws.edu.au |
|---|---|
| Extension: | 6623 |
| Mobile: | |
| Location: | 1.1.160 Bankstown |
| Website: |
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Biography
Adam Possamai is Associate Professor in Sociology. He is the author ofSociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach(Pearson, 2010 with James Henslin and Alphia Possamai-Inesedy),Sociology of Religion for Generations X and Y(Equinox, 2009),Religion and Popular Culture: A Hyper-Real Testament(Peter Lang, 2007) andIn Search of New Age Spiritualities(Ashgate, 2005). He is the editor ofThe handbook of Hyper-Real Religion(Brill, 2012) and, with Jack Barbalet and Bryan Turner, ofReligion and the State: A Comparative Sociology(Anthem Press, 2011). He is the current President of Research Committee 22 on the Sociology of Religion from the International Sociological Association, was a former President of the Australian Association for the Study of Religions, and was the 2002–2007 co-editor of theAustralian Religion Studies Review. He has been Associate Head of School in the School of Social Sciences, UWS, specialising in research, and he is currently Acting Director of the Centre for the Study of Contemporary Muslim Societies. His work has been published in English, French, Spanish, Romanian and Slovakian. His fictions have been published asPerles Noires(Nuit d’Avril, 2005; Lokomodo, 2011) andLe XXIème Siècle de Dickerson et Ferra(Asgard, 2012).
This information has been contributed by Doctor Possamai.
Publications
Books
- 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 9781845533038.
- 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
- 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.
- 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., Possamai-Inesedy, 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.
- Possamai, A. (2012), 'Yoda Goes to Glastonbuty: 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. (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 Glastonbuty : 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 9876074130973.
- 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 9789004184510.
- 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), 'Superheores and the Development of Latent Abilities: A Hyper-Real Re-enchantment', Popular Spiritualities: The Politics of Contemporary Enchantment, Ashgate Publishing Ltd 0754639991.
- 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
- Onnudottir, H., Possamai, A., Turner, B. and Kennedy, M. (2013), 'Australian Aboriginal Muslims in prison', Journal of Intercultural Studies, 15.
- Possamai, A. and Lee, M. (2011), 'Hyper-real religions: Fear, anxiety and late-modern religious innovation', Journal of Sociology, 16.
- Possamai, A., Voyce, M., 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, 16.
- Possamai, A., Voyce, M., 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, 16.
- Possamai, A. (2011), 'Political Culture, the Nationa of Islam, the Nuwaubian Nation and the Muslim Brotherhood: A Review Article', Alternative Spirituality and Religion Review, 13.
- 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, 26.
- Stevenson, D., Dunn, K., Possamai, A. and Piracha, A. (2010), 'Religious Belief across 'Post-secular' Sydney: the multiple trends in (de)secularisation', Australian Geographer, 28.
- 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, 12.
- Possamai, A., Bellamy, J. and Castle, K. (2007), 'The Diffusion of New Age Beliefs and Practices among Australian Church Attenders', Fieldwork in Religion, 18.
- Possamai, A. (2007), ''Secularisation' and 'Religon' as Zombie Categories', Australian Religion Studies Review, 10.
- Possamai, A. and Possamai-Inesedy, A. (2007), 'The Baha'i faith and Caodaism. Migration, change and de-secularization(s) in Australia', Journal of Sociology, 17.
- 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, 15.
- Possamai, A. and Lee, M. (2004), 'New Religious Movements and the Fear of Crime', Journal of Contemporary Religion, 16.
- Possamai, A. (2004), 'Intellectuals of the Other in Religion: Fear and Fascination', Australian Religion Studies Review, 10.
- Possamai, A. (2003), 'Alternative Spiritualities and the Cultural Logic of Late Capitalism', Culture and Religion, 16.
- Possamai, A. (2003), 'The Social Construction of Comic Books as a (Non) Recognised Form of Art in Australia', Form/Work, 14.
- Possamai, A. (2003), 'Alternative Spiritualities, New Religious Movements and Jediism in Australia', Australian Religion Studies Review, 18.
- 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, 13.
- Possamai, A. (2002), 'Cultural consumption of history and popular culture in alternative spiritualities', Journal of consumer culture, 22.
- Possamai, A. (2001), 'Not the New Age: Perennism and Spiritual Knowledges', Australian Religion Studies Review, 15.
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.
- Possamai, A. (2001), 'A Revisionist Perspective on Secularisation: Alternative Spiritualities, Globalised Consumer culture, and Public Spheres', 1999 Australian Association for the Study of Religion (AASR) Conference, Sydney.
Other Publications
- 2005, 'Perles Noires', Published Work
- 2012, 'Le XXieme Siecle de Dickerson et Ferra', Published Work
- 2012, 'Le XXIe siecle de Dickerson et Ferra', Published Work
Research
Current Projects
| Title: | Non-Religion amongst Australian Aboriginal Peoples |
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| Years: | 2012-11-13 - 2013-11-12 |
| ID: | P00021174 |
| UWS Researchers: | Adam Possamai and George Morgan |
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| Title: | Muslims on Campus: University Life for Muslim students in Australia |
| Years: | 2012-11-15 - 2014-08-01 |
| ID: | P00021215 |
| UWS Researchers: | Adam Possamai and Kevin Dunn |
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| Title: | Testing the limits of post-secularism and multiculturalism in Australia, France and the USA: Shari'a in the everyday life of Muslim communities |
| Years: | 2012-07-01 - 2015-06-30 |
| ID: | P00020137 |
| UWS Researchers: | Adam Possamai, Selda Dagistanli and Bryan Turner |
| Funding: |
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Previous Projects
| Title: | Alternative Spiritualities and the Internet: a re-enchantment of the world? |
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| Years: | 2003-01-25 - 2004-06-30 |
| ID: | P0011692 |
| UWS Researchers: | Adam Possamai |
| Funding: |
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| Title: | The De-Secularisation of Sydney's Western Suburbs via the Outreach Activities of New Religious Movements and New Migrant Religious Movements. |
| Years: | 2001-01-01 - 2001-12-31 |
| ID: | P0011882 |
| UWS Researchers: | Adam Possamai |
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| Title: | Church Life - religious, social and cultural beliefs |
| Years: | 2004-04-01 - 2007-03-31 |
| ID: | P0011384 |
| UWS Researchers: | Adam Possamai |
| Funding: |
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| Title: | Islam, youth masculinities and place: international perspectives |
| Years: | 2010-11-17 - 2011-11-16 |
| ID: | P00019468 |
| UWS Researchers: | Kevin Dunn and Adam Possamai |
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| Title: | Experience of Muslims in Australian and US courts |
| Years: | 2011-11-09 - 2013-02-28 |
| ID: | P00020502 |
| UWS Researchers: | Adam Possamai and David Tait |
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Supervision
Doctor Possamai is available to be a principal supervisor for doctoral projects
Current Supervision
| Title: | Being Compassion. Enacting Compassion. Social Engagement and Tibetan Buddhism in Australia |
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| Field of Research: | |
| Title: | Identifying the Influence and Effect of Christian Motorcycle Clubs on the Culture of Patched Motorcycle Clubs |
| Field of Research: | |
| Title: | Islamic Family Separation in the Australian Legal System |
| Field of Research: | |
| Title: | The Rise of the New Atheism |
| Field of Research: | |
| Title: | "With us or Against us?" Hegemony and Ideology within American Comic Books 2001-2007 |
| Field of Research: |
Previous Supervision
| Title: | Sold Out! An Ethnographic Study of Australian Indie Music Festivals |
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| Field of Research: | SOCIOLOGY |
| Thesis: | Sold Out! An Ethnographic Study of Australian Indie Music Festivals |
| Title: | Going Walkabout Together Through the Suburbs |
| Field of Research: | SOCIAL WORK |
| Thesis: | Going Walkabout Together Through the Suburbs |
| Title: | Chained to the Kitchen Sink? Sydney Muslim Women's Public Sphere Activity |
| Field of Research: | OTHER SOCIETY AND CULTURE |
| Thesis: | Chained to the Kitchen Sink? Sydney Muslim Women's Public Sphere Activity |
Media
Media Contact Details
| Media Officer: | UWS Media Unit |
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| Phone: | (02) 9678 7083 |
| Email: | media@uws.edu.au |
