SASM: The Society for the Academic Study of Magic

SASM Home

USRS Home

Aims of the Society

Established in Bristol, UK, in 2002 by two Bristol University postgraduates, Alison Butler and Dave Evans, the Society for the Academic Study of Magic (SASM) was created to further communication and exchange among scholars interested in the study of all aspects of magic and esotericism. SASM aims to promote and foster academic understandings of magic and enhance the reputation of such understandings within the academy.

SASM’s range of concerns includes, but is by no means limited to, the history, sociology, philosophy, psychology, anthropology of magic, magical practices and theories of magic, as well as magical objects, artefacts and texts. We are avowedly cross-disciplinary and thus would be interested to hear from anyone in any academic discipline, and freelance researchers involved in studies of such subjects.

At present, SASM is s being co-directed by Dr. Dave Evans, of  The Bristol Business School (BBS), and Dr. Dave Green, Deputy Director of the Unit for the Study of Religion and Spirituality (USRS)), both of The University of the West of England, Bristol, UK. Please feel free to contact SASM at David2.Green@uwe.ac.uk.

SASM currently engages with and publicises the academic study of magic through two main fora:

  • An electronic academic discussion list concerning scholarly aspects of magic, esotericism and the occult;