The 17th International Conference of the International Society for the Academic Research of Shamanism (ISARS 2026 SEOUL) will be held June 24–27, 2026, at Sogang University. The conference will gather researchers, filmmakers, artists, and ritual practitioners from 36 countries for a major international exchange on shamanism.

Founded in 1991, ISARS is a leading global network for shamanism studies across North America and Europe. The 2026 Seoul meeting marks a historic return to Korea 35 years after its inaugural conference.

The Korean organizing committee is led by Sogang University's Institute for the Study of Religion and Academic Center for K-Religions (ACKR) in collaboration with the Korean Folklore Society, the Korean Shamanism Society, and Seoul National University’s Center for Folklore Studies.

Conference Theme

The theme of this year’s conference is “Shamanism and Power: Dialogue Between Knowledge, Art, and Society.”

Scholars from religious studies, anthropology, folklore, sociology, and psychology will engage in interdisciplinary discussions exploring shamanism through the lenses of knowledge systems, power structures, artistic expression, and social practice.

Key Topics and Academic Programs

The conference will feature research presentations on shamanic traditions from Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Mongolia, Siberia, China, and South Asia, offering eco-cosmological perspectives on shamanism.

Key discussions include museum and archival research, symbolic analysis of shamanic mythology, neo-shamanism, and transnational spiritual networks, as well as the evolving role of ritual specialists in contemporary society.

A special session will examine the cultural impact of K-Pop Demon Hunters, exploring the intersection of shamanism with popular culture, media, performing arts, and the global creative industry.

Cultural Programs and Academic Exchange

Beyond academic sessions, ISARS 2026 SEOUL will include film screenings, performances, and roundtable discussions linking shamanism with contemporary arts and culture.

Traditional Korean shamanic rituals and music—such as Gangneung Danoje, Namhaean Byeolsingut, and Donghaean Byeolsingut—will be reinterpreted in modern artistic forms, alongside dance and folk percussion performances.

These programs offer an embodied experience of shamanism through movement, sound, image, and ritual practice.

Special Programs

On the opening day, the academic version of the documentary film “PRAYERS” will have its official screening. Additional documentary screenings will be held during the conference, along with a roundtable discussion on shamanism, religious documentation, and visual anthropology.

Academic Significance

In recent years, global shamanism studies have expanded beyond traditional religious frameworks to include ecological cosmology, healing systems, alternative worldviews, urban spiritual movements, and transnational spiritual networks.

Within this context, ISARS 2026 SEOUL is expected to serve as a key platform connecting Korean shamanism with global academic discourse and fostering interdisciplinary and cultural exchange.

Event Information

Event Title: 17th International Conference of the International Society for the Academic Research of Shamanism
Official Name: ISARS 2026 SEOUL
Dates: June 24–27, 2026
Venue: Sogang University
Theme: Shamanism and Power: Dialogue Between Knowledge, Art, and Society
Participants: Scholars, artists, filmmakers, and practitioners from 36 countries

Website: https://www.isars2026.com/