ASCR-Nepal provides a collaborative platform where scholars, students, and independent researchers exchange ideas, publish findings, and build lasting academic partnerships — within Nepal and with institutions abroad.
A scholarly society built on collaboration across disciplines, generations, and borders.
The Association for the Study of Culture and Religion – Nepal (ASCR-N) is committed to advancing academic research in culture and religion, with a focus on Nepal's rich cultural and religious heritage. Serving as a collaborative platform for scholars, researchers, and enthusiasts, ASCR-N supports efforts to preserve and advance these fields of study.
Founded to bridge the gap between Nepal's living traditions and the modern academic world, ASCR-N brings together historians, anthropologists, religious studies scholars, and cultural practitioners. Our work spans research support, national conferences, academic workshops, and publications that document and analyze Nepal's spiritual and cultural practices — from the Kathmandu Valley's syncretic Hindu-Buddhist heritage to the traditions of Nepal's many ethnic and regional communities.
By empowering young academics and encouraging innovative, field-based studies, ASCR-N helps ensure that scholarship on Nepal's culture and religion is produced by and for Nepal, while remaining connected to the global academic community.
The Association for the Study of Culture and Religion – Nepal (ASCR-N) is dedicated to advancing rigorous academic research into Nepal's religious traditions, cultural practices, and heritage.
We provide a collaborative platform where scholars, students, and independent researchers can exchange ideas, publish findings, and build lasting academic partnerships — both within Nepal and with institutions abroad.
Through conferences, workshops, and publications, we work to strengthen the scholarly infrastructure available to those studying Nepal's diverse cultural and religious landscape.
We envision a Nepal where the academic study of culture and religion is recognized, resourced, and integrated into national and international scholarship.
Where young researchers have the mentorship, networks, and platforms they need to contribute original work, and where Nepal's traditions are documented, understood, and preserved for future generations without losing their relevance to contemporary life.
ASCR-Nepal executive committee members at a planning meeting, Kathmandu.
ASCR-Nepal is run by a committee of scholars and academics who organize the association's conferences, workshops, and outreach — meeting regularly to plan the association's calendar and represent ASCR-Nepal to partner institutions.
We're expanding this section with full committee names, titles, and short bios — reach out via the contact form if you'd like to be listed.
ASCR-Nepal representatives take part in the wider regional network of culture and religion scholarship.
Each theme draws researchers from different disciplines into shared inquiry.
Textual, doctrinal, and lived dimensions of Nepal's religious traditions, from household ritual to temple institutions.
Documentation and safeguarding of tangible and intangible heritage across Nepal's regions.
Community-based research methods that centre lived experience alongside historical record.
Reading, cataloguing, and interpreting Nepal's textual traditions across languages and scripts.
Nepal's traditions considered alongside neighbouring Himalayan and South Asian contexts.
How migration and modernity are reshaping practice, identity, and belief.
Three complementary channels for building shared scholarly infrastructure.
National and regional gatherings that bring Nepal-based and international scholars together to present ongoing work and test new arguments in front of peers.
Focused sessions on method, source material, and writing — built for students and early-career researchers moving from fieldwork into publication.
Peer-reviewed output that carries findings beyond the seminar room, into the wider academic record on Nepal's culture and religion.
Recent and upcoming conferences and workshops.
"Bridging Past and Present: Celebrating Culture, Understanding Religion" — ASCR-Nepal's first national conference, held at National College, Dhumbarahi, Kathmandu, in partnership with National College.
A hands-on workshop for graduate students and early-career researchers, covering structuring a research paper and preparing manuscripts for peer-reviewed publication. Certificate and hi-tea included; limited seats, first come first priority.
Flyers, notices, and program materials from ASCR-Nepal's first national conference, in chronological order.
Initial announcement inviting abstracts and full papers for the 1st ASCR-Nepal National Conference.
Full conference details — theme, sub-themes, registration, and key dates for the April 2025 event.
Open registration notice for the pre-conference workshop held at National College, Dhumbarahi.
Official program booklet for the 1st ASCR-Nepal National Conference at National College, Dhumbarahi.
Whether you're affiliated with a university, working independently, or early in your research career, there's a place for your work at ASCR-Nepal.
Become a Member →Present ongoing work, co-publish, and mentor emerging researchers in the field.
Attend workshops, gain fieldwork guidance, and share early research in a peer setting.
Access the same collaborative platform without requiring institutional affiliation.
Build long-term research ties between Nepal-based and international departments.
We welcome inquiries from researchers, students, institutions, and members of the public interested in Nepal's cultural and religious heritage.