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Many thanks to those of you who attended BRAIS 2018 at the University of Exeter. Judging from the feedback we received, the Conference was a great success, though there is of course always room for improvement. The British Association for Islamic Studies looks forward to welcoming you to its 2019 Annual Conference, which will take place at the University of Nottingham from Monday 15th - Wednesday 17th April. Please mark the relevant dates in your diaries! We will update the website regularly with new information which will also be circulated via our online mailing list.The British Association for Islamic Studies (BRAIS) is a learned society and professional organisation focused on enhancing research and teaching about Islam and Muslim cultures and societies in UK higher education.The association provides a forum for academic exchange for scholars with an interest in any aspect of Islam and the Muslim world (including non-Muslim majority societies), and acts as an umbrella organisation for members working in a wide range of disciplines and geographical interest areas.BRAIS works with research councils and other bodies to represent the interests of Islamic Studies on research matters in UK higher education, and with the Higher Education Academy to enhance teaching and learning in Islamic Studies. It also maintains and encourages relationships with providers of HE-level Islamic Studies outside of publicly-funded UK higher education.The main objectives of the association are: to encourage and enhance scholarly exchange, co-operation and output by hosting a regular conference for Islamic Studies academics; to host Special Interest Groups and Research Networks that will meet both alongside the conference and separately to focus on topics of specific interest to members (e.g. Islamic Law, Muslims in Britain, Islamic Business and related areas, Islamic Education); to support the early career development of PhD students by sponsoring conference bursaries, essay competitions and other activity; to facilitate exchange and partnerships between publicly-funded Higher Education Institutions and private providers of HE-level Islamic Studies; to maintain an online presence and resource centre for Islamic Studies, including publishing a newsletter and work in progress bulletin, hosting a variety of resources for teaching and research, and encouraging online exchange through mailing lists and other fora.BRAIS' Administrative Hub is currently based at the Alwaleed Centre for the Study of Islam in the Contemporary World at the University of Edinburgh: www.alwaleed.ed.ac.uk.BECOME A MEMBER OF THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION FOR ISLAMIC STUDIESMembership CategoriesThere are three categories of BRAIS membership which can be paid for securely online via PayPal. Just select the membership category which suits you and you will be guided through the sign-up process. If you encounter any problems at all, please do not hesitate to contact us on: brais@ed.ac.uk."Auto-Renewal" membership or "One-Off" membership?As you will see, members can now sign up via the "auto-renewal" option. If you choose the auto-renewal option, your membership fee will be automatically collected by BRAIS every year on the date you first signed up.To encourage new members to choose the auto-renewal option, there is a £5 discount on all membership categories.Standing OrderIf you would prefer to pay your membership fees via a standing order this is also possible. Membership fees via standing order are the same price as auto-renewal fees. To register as a member and pay by standing order, please click HERE.To pay via PayPal, please choose your membership category from the list below:Full Member (£35 one-off/£30 auto-renewal)Full membership is open to those with an academic interest in Islamic Studies who are working at higher and further education institutions, both public and private, in the UK or the Republic of Ireland. Only full members shall be entitled to vote at meetings of the Association and shall be eligible for membership of the Council and officer positions.Click HERE to become a Full Member of BRAISStudent Member (£20 one-off/£15 auto-renewal)Student membership is open to postgraduate students in Islamic Studies at higher and further education institutions, both public and private in any country of the world.Click HERE to become a Student Member of BRAISAssociate Member: (£25 one-off/£20 auto-renewal)Associate membership is open to those with an academic interest in Islamic Studies who are working in higher and further education institutions outside of the UK or the Republic of Ireland, and to those with an academic interest in Islamic Studies who are not currently professionally involved in academic Islamic Studies.Click HERE to become an Associate Member of BRAISIf you are experiencing any problems with you membership payment, please contact us on: brais@ed.ac.uk.