While many may think that the schedule is quite relaxed for academics during the summer, many of the Ansari Institute’s faculty fellows are quite busy with research, conferences, and teaching.

From trips to China to view archaeologically excavated legal manuscripts, to spending time at Yale's Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, to giving lectures, keynotes, and leading seminars on four different continents, the Ansari Institute's Executive Director and faculty fellows are making the most of their summer!

Sarah Shortall is an associate professor of history at the University of Notre Dame and a faculty fellow with the Ansari Institute. She specializes as an intellectual and cultural historian of modern Europe, with a particular interest in modern France, Catholic thought, and the relationship between religion and politics. Over Zoom, Shortall sat down with Rebekah Go, the Ansari Institute’s Program and Communication Manager, to talk about her research and scholarship.

Religious literacy and cultural awareness are important skills. It’s helpful to know about the traditions and celebrations that are important to students and colleagues so you can provide accommodations and support diversity, equity, and inclusion.

With that in mind, the Ansari Institute maintains this calendar of global religious observances. We want it to be a helpful resource for your university or workplace. Please use it as a resource to build awareness and promote inclusion and representation.