About
Ali Qadir is a Full Professor of Sociology at Tampere University's Faculty of Social Sciences, where he directs the Tampere Research Group on Religion & Society (TRELIS) and the Program in the Study of Mysticism (PRISM). He holds a Docent in Ethnic Relations from the University of Helsinki and leads the research project MISTIC (Mysticism in Society). His significant affiliations include membership in the Templeton Religion Trust Steering Committee (2021-2024) and chairmanship of the Westermarck Society (2023).
Education:
- Doctor of Social Sciences, Tampere University (2009-2012)
- MPhil in Cultural Studies, National College of Arts, Pakistan (2004-2007)
Professor Qadir's research explores the intersection of mysticism, social theory, and religious phenomena through critical realist frameworks. His work examines:
- Heresy dynamics and orthodoxy construction in Islamic traditions
- Symbolic meaning-making in Eastern Christian rituals
- Epistemic governance in religious institutions
- Sociopolitical dimensions of mysticism in contemporary societies
Publications from 2015-2025 demonstrate consistent output in top sociology and religious studies journals. Recent works emphasize:
- Critical deconstructions of mysticism theory
- Comparative analyses of religious marginalization
- Empirical studies of Nordic secular-religious interfaces
- Interdisciplinary approaches to symbolism in modernity
Leadership achievements include:
- Steering Templeton Trust initiatives on global religion research
- Editing the Religions special issue 'Mysticism Reloaded'
- Securing sustained funding for PRISM research program
Professor Qadir leads the TRELIS research group and PRISM program, which maintain active international collaborations and publish on mysticism's societal impacts. The lab's web presence (tuni.fi/en/research/mysticism) facilitates knowledge dissemination and networking.
