Francis Vincent Anthony | Social Sciences | Pioneer Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. Francis Vincent Anthony | Social Sciences | Pioneer Researcher Award

Sacred Heart College (Autonomous) | India

Author Profile

Orcid

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Prof. Dr. Francis Vincent Anthony was born in Bombay, India, on April 27, 1954. He began his academic journey with a Diploma in Printing Technology (1976–1979) in Chennai, followed by a Baccalaureate in Theology at the Salesian Pontifical University (UPS) in Rome (1981–1984). He earned a Licentiate and Doctorate in Theology with specialization in Youth Ministry and Catechetics from UPS (1985–1993). His doctoral dissertation focused on inculturation in Catholic schools in the Tamil cultural context, setting the foundation for a lifelong commitment to contextual theology.

👨‍🏫 Professional Endeavors

Prof. Anthony has had an extensive teaching and leadership career at the Salesian Pontifical University (UPS) in Rome since 1993. Rising from Adjunct Professor to Full Professor of General Practical Theology, he also served in key administrative roles including Director of the Institute of Pastoral Theology, Coordinator of Doctoral Programs, and Director of the Interfaculty Research Committee. Outside UPS, he has lectured internationally in India, Italy, and various theological faculties. His academic reach spans Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America, mentoring doctoral students across diverse contexts.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

Prof. Anthony is internationally acclaimed for pioneering research in empirical theology, pastoral youth ministry, inculturation, intercultural theology, religious conflict, and human rights. His work integrates empirical methods with theological inquiry, bridging academic theory with grassroots realities. He led or participated in over 25 major international research projects, including “Religion and Human Rights,” “Intercultural Theology,” and “Youth and Faith in Pluralistic Contexts.” His research covers thematic intersections between religion, culture, identity, and social justice.

🏆 Accolades and Recognition

Prof. Anthony is a respected voice in global theological circles, having served on boards and committees of international organizations such as:

📘 International Society for Empirical Research in Theology (ISERT) – Vice President
📗 International Academy of Practical Theology (IAPT) – Executive Board Member
📕 Journal of Empirical Theology – Consultant Editorial Board
📙 Pontifical Council for Migrants and Itinerant People – Scientific Committee Member

His publications, including 9 books and over 100 peer-reviewed articles, are highly cited and frequently used in theology and religious studies worldwide.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Prof. Anthony's work has profoundly influenced Catholic theological education, pastoral ministry models, and youth formation strategies across continents. His research in Tamil Nadu, India, and among migrant communities has shaped policies in interreligious dialogue, faith-based education, and civic engagement. By bridging spirituality, culture, and empirical inquiry, he has reshaped how theology responds to global diversity and contemporary crises.

🌱 Legacy and Future Contributions

Prof. Dr. Francis Vincent Anthony's legacy lies in his interdisciplinary, intercultural, and praxis-oriented theology. With ongoing projects such as Youth Practical Theology and empirical studies on ecology, migration, and pluralism, his future contributions promise to strengthen public theology, human dignity, and inclusive citizenship. His enduring vision is to create a world where faith communities actively collaborate for justice, peace, and human flourishing.

Publications

📄 Public Religious Pedagogy Amidst Religious Pluralism: Qualitative Study Among Hindu and Muslim Educators in Salesian Institutions of Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: Francis-Vincent Anthony, Antony Christy Lourdunathan
Journal: Religions
Year: 2025

📄 Public Theology of Educational and Social Service: Sharing the Salesian Charism and Mission with Adherents of Neighbour Religions and People of Goodwill
Author: Francis-Vincent Anthony
Type: Book Chapter
Year: 2024

📄 Human Rights and the Separation of State and Religion
Editor/Contributor: Francis-Vincent Anthony
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland
Year: 2023

📄 Mario Midali: Making of a Practical Theologian
Author: Francis-Vincent Anthony
Journal: Salesianum
Year: 2023

📄 Percorsi di ricerca teologica. Studi in ricordo del prof. Mario Midali (1928–2021). Presentazione
Author: Francis-Vincent Anthony
Journal: Salesianum
Year: 2023

 

Sam Amosa | Arts and Humanities | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Sam Amosa | Arts and Humanities | Best Researcher Award

The National University of Samoa | Samoa
Author profile

Orcid

Early Academic Pursuits 📚

Dr. Sam Amosa’s academic journey reflects a strong commitment to both theological and social sciences education. He completed his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at Charles Sturt University in Sydney, Australia, in 2020, following his Master of Theology (MTh) honors in 2014, also from Charles Sturt University. Before pursuing his postgraduate studies, Dr. Amosa earned his Bachelor of Theology (BTh) at Malua Theological College in Samoa in 2009. This diverse academic foundation set the stage for his multifaceted career in research and teaching.

Professional Endeavors 🧑‍🏫

Dr. Amosa's professional journey has spanned both academic and community-driven roles. Currently, he serves as the Head of the Department and Senior Lecturer in Development Studies at the Centre for Samoan Studies at The National University of Samoa. In this leadership role, he teaches postgraduate students, conducts research, and contributes to both the university’s academic development and the broader Samoan community. His teaching experience also includes faculty positions at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, where he has developed and taught various courses, including new advanced research methods and criminology courses. Dr. Amosa's previous roles include being a Church Minister at EFKS St. Mary's, where he provided spiritual and social leadership to a growing congregation.

Contributions and Research Focus 🔬

Dr. Amosa’s research focuses on public theology, sociology, and social development, particularly within the context of Pacific Island communities. His work integrates a deep understanding of local culture and theology, with studies such as the role of public faifeau (church leaders) in Samoa’s social development. He is also pioneering research into online gaming and its impact on student life at The National University of Samoa. His interdisciplinary approach has led him to engage with both the theological and social aspects of community issues, contributing to Pacific knowledge and public policy discussions.

Accolades and Recognition 🏆

Dr. Amosa’s academic and professional achievements have garnered recognition across various fields. His publications in high-impact journals, such as Religions, International Journal for Crime, Justice and Social Democracy, and Research Methods in Applied Linguistics, reflect his wide-reaching impact in academia. He has presented at multiple international conferences, sharing insights on topics such as Samoan criminology theory, public theology, and the role of the faifeau in addressing social issues. His work continues to resonate with both scholars and practitioners in the fields of social development, theology, and sociology.

Impact and Influence 🌍

Dr. Amosa's work has had a profound impact on both the academic community and his local society in Samoa. As a senior academic and researcher, he has influenced public policy and social development practices in Samoa. His research on online gaming and its influence on students’ lives has practical implications for educational institutions, while his contributions to public theology have sparked discussions about the evolving role of church leaders in addressing contemporary social challenges. His leadership at the National University of Samoa has also paved the way for interdisciplinary research collaborations, fostering a vibrant academic environment.

Legacy and Future Contributions 🌱

Dr. Amosa’s legacy is built upon his dedication to bridging theological understanding with practical social interventions in Pacific Island communities. His future contributions are poised to expand, particularly in the areas of public theology and social development, as he continues to lead significant research projects on topics like the role of public faifeau in societal development. Dr. Amosa’s ongoing research will undoubtedly continue to shape the discourse surrounding education, community development, and the intersection of theology with social justice in Samoa and beyond.

Publications

  • 📄 The Rupturing of Samoa’s Foundations: On the Importance of a Public Theology
    Author: Sam Amosa
    Journal: Religions
    Year: 2025

  • 📄 Fa'avae: A Samoan Theory of Crime from the ‘South’ Pacific
    Author: Sam Amosa
    Journal: International Journal for Crime, Justice and Social Democracy
    Year: 2024

  • 📄 Lost for Words: Samoa’s Constitutional Crisis and the Case for a Public Theology
    Author: Sam Amosa
    Journal: International Journal of Public Theology
    Year: 2023

  • 📄 Tusi Taiala o Tusi o le Tusi Paia Mo Tagata Lotu
    Author: Sam Amosa
    Publisher: Specialty Press
    Year: 2021

  • 📄 Embodying Aga Tausili: A Public Theology from Oceania, written by Mercy Ah Siu-Maliko
    Author: Faala Sam Amosa
    Journal: International Journal of Public Theology
    Year: 2021

 

Şenol Yağdı | Social Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Şenol Yağdı | Social Sciences | Best Researcher Award

University of Vienna |Austria

Author Profile

Orcid

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Şenol Yağdı embarked on an impressive academic journey that spans multiple disciplines. He earned dual doctorates: one in Religious Education from the University of Graz, focusing on Islamic religious teachers in Austria, and another in Educational Sciences from Alpe-Adria University Klagenfurt, where he explored the educational strategies of second-generation Turkish migrants. Complementing these were multiple master's degrees in Islamic Studies, Political Education, and Islamic Religious Education, along with undergraduate studies in Philosophy, Educational Sciences, and Islamic Theology.

🧑‍🏫 Professional Endeavors

Dr. Yağdı's career reflects deep commitment to both teaching and research. He has served as a research assistant and associate across numerous high-impact projects at the University of Vienna and University of Graz, addressing themes such as interreligious education, radicalism prevention, and mosque communities in Austria. His practical experience includes fieldwork, curriculum development, and the implementation of interreligious teaching methods in pilot schools. Since 2014, he has also served as an Islamic religious teacher in Viennese high schools, bringing theory into practice.

📚 Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Yağdı’s research primarily delves into Islamic religious education, interreligious learning, educational advancement among migrants, and religious pedagogical discourse. He is widely recognized for his reconstructive study on the pedagogical habitus of Islamic teachers and his empirical contributions to Christian-Islamic team teaching. His work is grounded in field research and qualitative methodologies, enriching academic discourse with grounded, practical insights.

🏅 Accolades and Recognition

A significant milestone in Dr. Yağdı’s career was the Austrian Integration Fund Research Award 2024, awarded for his doctoral research exploring the pedagogical orientation of Islamic religious educators in Austria. This award underscores his influence in shaping inclusive and evidence-based educational models in pluralistic societies.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Through a prolific output of peer-reviewed articles, monographs, and edited volumes, Dr. Yağdı has contributed substantially to Islamic theology, religious pedagogy, and educational science. His publications are frequently cited in discussions on interreligious education and the integration of Islamic pedagogy into European contexts. His collaborative research with scholars across disciplines demonstrates his interdisciplinary reach and commitment to dialogue.

🔮 Legacy and Future Contributions

Looking forward, Dr. Yağdı continues to shape the future of religious education through his upcoming works on religious pluralism, theological contributions to education, and interreligious hermeneutics. With several volumes forthcoming in 2025, his legacy as a scholar deeply engaged in the dialogue between tradition and modernity, faith and education, is solidifying. His continued presence in academia and public discourse ensures that his research will influence policy, curriculum, and interfaith understanding for years to come.

Publications

  • 📄 Islamic Religious Education and Citizenship Education: An Empirical Study of Teachers’ Perspectives in Austria
    Author: Şenol Yağdı
    Journal: Religions
    Year: 2025

  • 📄: Bericht über die Online-Tagung „Beiträge der islamisch-theologischen Forschung zur religionspädagogischen Theorieentwicklung – Konzepte und Modelle zur Vermittlung einer zeitgemäßen religiösen Bildung“, organisiert vom Institut für Islamisch-Theologische Studien der Universität Wien
    Author: Şenol Yağdı
    Journal: HIKMA
    Year: 2024

  • 📄 Bericht über die Online-Tagung „Islamische Religionspädagogik im aktuellen Diskurs – Empirische Erkenntnisse zur zeitgemäßen religiösen Bildung in einer pluralen Gesellschaft“, organisiert vom Institut für Islamisch-Theologische Studien der Universität Wien
    Author: Şenol Yağdı
    Journal: HIKMA
    Year: 2024

  • 📄 Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung im christlich-muslimischen Dialog – Chancen einer interreligiösen Auseinandersetzung mit Menschenbildern.
    Author: Şenol Yağdı; Christian Feichtinger
    Journal: Theo Web
    Year: 2024

  • 📄 Erfahrungen und Orientierungen islamischer Religionslehrerinnen im österreichischen Schulsystem – Empirische Erkenntnisse zur religiösen und interreligiösen Bildung.*
    Author: Şenol Yağdı
    Book Title: Christlich-Islamischer Religionsunterricht im Teamteaching. Beiträge zu Theorie und Praxis interreligiöser Bildung.
    Year: 2024