To answer this question, our group delves into a variety of sources, tangible and intangible: traditional archival sources from religious groups and institutions, local, provincial, and national government entities, charitable organizations and institutions, and the like. Naturally, material culture (think clothing, ritual objects, everyday items) is also one of our source bases. In addition, our group explores sites of cultural and landscape heritage such as buildings, parks, and other spaces and places for what they might tell us about expressions of religion, religiosity, and identity in the past as well as in contemporary society.
Our group contributes to myriad debates: preservation; heritage, migration, and the shifting place of religion in contemporary society. We also participate in debates around the care for, and relevance of, religious heritage. We help other scholars, students, religious leaders, policy makers, and people in the cultural sector in forming their views on the changing role of religion in today's society. The research team explores present-day social issues and the direct and indirect ties to religion.