The Psychology (PSY) study program at the International University of Sarajevo (IUS) had the honor of hosting the XII Psychology of Religion Coordination Program Conference, held on July 1, 2026, as part of a broader program organized from June 29 to July 5, 2026.
Organized under the theme “Current Issues and Future Vision in the Psychology of Religion,” the conference brought together scholars, researchers and experts in the field to discuss contemporary topics, theoretical developments and future perspectives in the psychology of religion.
The program opened with welcoming remarks by Prof. Dr. Hasan Kaplan and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ervin Kovačević. This was followed by a panel session titled “Theoretical Approaches in the Psychology of Religion and the Search for a New Paradigm,” moderated by Prof. Dr. Recep Yaparel.
The panel brought together distinguished scholars and researchers in the field, including Prof. Dr. Saffet Kartopu and Res. Asst. Gülvade Köroğlu, Dr. Beyzanur Yılmaz, Havva Ünlü, Assist. Prof. Dr. Faruk Obuća and Prof. Dr. Aid Smajić, who discussed contemporary theoretical perspectives and emerging paradigms in the psychology of religion.
Assist. Prof. Dr. Faruk Obuća from the IUS Psychology study program, who also teaches the Psychology of Religion course, delivered a presentation titled “Reconceptualizing Religiosity and Spirituality: Methodological and Theoretical Challenges in the Psychology of Religion”. His presentation explored the theoretical and methodological complexities surrounding these concepts, with particular focus on the relationship between global psychological literature and local academic traditions.
Prof. Dr. Aid Smajić from the Faculty of Islamic Studies at the University of Sarajevo presented “Psychology of Religion in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Opportunities, Challenges, and Future Directions,” offering an overview of the current state of the discipline in Bosnia and Herzegovina while highlighting key opportunities for its development, existing challenges, and directions for future research and academic collaboration.
The colloquium session titled “Bridging Academic Knowledge and Field Practice in Applied Psychology of Religion” further emphasized the importance of connecting academic research with professional practice. Moderated by Prof. Dr. Asım Yapıcı, the session featured contributions from Prof. Dr. Saffet Kartopu and Res. Asst. Gülvade Köroğlu, Dr. Ayşe Gül Güler, Dr. Yasemin Çoban, and Muhammed Berat Geçit. Through presentations by experts in the field, the session highlighted how knowledge of the psychology of religion can be applied across various professional and social contexts.
The conference provided a valuable platform for academic exchange, international cooperation, and interdisciplinary dialogue. It also reflected IUS’s continued commitment to advancing psychological research and education, while strengthening meaningful cooperation with distinguished international academic and professional institutions.
The conference was organized through cooperation between the Turkish Association for the Psychology of Religion and the Psychology study program of the IUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS). The organization was coordinated by Prof. Dr. Hasan Kaplan, President of the Turkish Association for the Psychology of Religion; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ervin Kovačević, Dean of FASS; Assist. Prof. Dr. Faruk Obuća; and Assistant Iman Ehnech-Seran, MA, both members of the IUS Psychology study program, who contributed to the planning, coordination and successful implementation of the conference
