Who we are
The Edinburgh Centre for Buddhist Studies brings together researchers from across the University of Edinburgh and the north of the UK, for academic and outreach events relating to the broad field of Buddhist Studies.
There are two distinctive unifying features to the ECBS:
- a truly multi-disciplinary range of expertise and interests; and
- a focus on Buddhism in a range of contexts and encounters with other aspects of culture and society.
Both are reflected in the events and projects that we undertake.
These include academic symposia, lectures, workshops, and publication, as well as media and public engagement.
Our mission
- Foster interdisciplinary scholarship across the broad field of Buddhist studies;
- Nurture, and shape the trajectory of, the future of Buddhist studies as an international field;
- Promote improved public understanding of Buddhism;
- Enhance the reputation of the University of Edinburgh as a key international hub for research, teaching, and outreach relating to Buddhist Studies.
Our Steering Committee
The Steering Committee comprises two co-directors, and a range of other members of ECBS, including at least one PhD student and one member from outside the University of Edinburgh.
Co-Directors
Professor Naomi Appleton (School of Divinity, University of Edinburgh)
Dr Halle O'Neal (History of Art, University of Edinburgh)
Steering Committee Members
Dr Ian Astley (Japanese Studies, University of Edinburgh)
Dr Yashaswini Chandra (History of Art, University of Edinburgh)
Dr Paul Fuller (School of Divinity, University of Edinburgh)
Ria Gandhi (PhD candidate, Religious Studies, University of Edinburgh)
Professor Joachim Gentz (Chinese Studies, University of Edinburgh)
Dr Takeshi Morisato (School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, University of Edinburgh)
Dr Abigail MacBain (Japanese Studies, University of Edinburgh)
Dr Jan Nicol (Honorary Fellow, School of Divinity, University of Edinburgh
Dr Gregory Adam Scott (Chinese Studies, University of Manchester)
Dr Upali Sraman (Religious Studies, School of Divinity, University of Edinburgh)
Our history
Edinburgh Buddhist Studies emerged out of an earlier Asian Religions Network, founded by Gregory Adam Scott and Naomi Appleton in 2014.
In 2019 we formed the Edinburgh Buddhist Studies network, under the co-directorship of Naomi Appleton and Halle O'Neal.
In 2025 we were recognised as an official research centre of the University and became the Edinburgh Centre for Buddhist Studies.
Throughout our journey we have been generously supported by the Khyentse Foundation
Our commitment to sustainability
We are committed to the sustainability of Buddhist Studies, both in terms of its future health as an area of scholarship, and in terms of minimising our impact on the planet. We always encourage visitors to use eco-friendly modes of transport, only serve vegetarian food at our events, and enable hybrid attendance wherever possible. In 2021 we contributed a patch to the banners that hung from New College, University of Edinburgh, to mark the meeting of COP26 in Scotland.
