Indology in Canada Conference: A Conversation with Dagmar Wujastyk

In this episode of New Books in Indian Religions, host Raj Morey speaks with Dr. Dagmar Wujastyk, Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Programs at the University of Alberta, about the launch of Indology in Canada—a groundbreaking, first-of-its-kind conference aimed at fostering community among scholars working on pre-modern Indian studies across Canada. Wujastyk explains that while 'Indology' carries historical connotations tied to colonial scholarship, she reclaims the term as a broad, inclusive framework for studying India’s intellectual and cultural traditions, embracing Sanskrit, Persian, vernacular sources, and diverse methodologies. The conference, hosted at the University of Alberta with support from the Singmar Endowment Fund, brings together researchers from various career stages and institutional backgrounds—PhD students to emeritus professors, academics and independent scholars—to share work on topics ranging from alchemy and poetics to Buddhist inscriptions and translation theory. Wujastyk emphasizes the importance of in-person connection, drawing inspiration from European 'Coffee Break' conferences, and expresses hope that the event will become a recurring, rotating series, possibly incorporating online components in future iterations. She also reflects on the evolving role of public scholarship, highlighting the need to translate complex academic work into accessible forms for wider audiences.