The Donner Institute
The Donner Institute for Research into Religion and Culture is a private research institute connected to the Åbo Akademi University Foundation. We gather researchers, students and cultural agents and provide a meeting point for research on religion and culture in Finland and in the Nordic countries. We work to strengthen the visibility of research and create spaces where new knowledge can be born.
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Research & publications
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Approaching Religion 14/2 on Religion and Spirituality as Sites of Learning
The new issue of Approaching Religion presents articles springing from the conference “Religion and Spirituality as Sites of Learning”, which was arranged in May 2023. The event was organised as a co-operation between the research Council of Finland-financed project “Learning from New Religion and Spirituality” at the University of Helsinki, and the Donner Institute. The issue contains thirteen research articles and one review article that cover topics ranging from the learning of newcomers to committed practitioners as well as those who leave religion altogether. The articles touch upon, for example, experiential learning as well as the processes and outcomes of...
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Our donors Olly and Uno Donner were forerunners of their time.
The endowment made by Olly and Uno Donner in 1956 was one of the largest donations received by Åbo Akademi University to date. In addition to supporting research on religion and culture, the couple shared an interest in languages and anthroposophy.