Biography

Julia Itel is a Ph.D. candidate in religious studies (University of Fribourg, 2020–2025). Using a socio-anthropological approach, she specialises in ecospirituality, a form of contemporary alternative spirituality that focuses on ‘connection to nature’. In 2024, she spent a period of mobility with Prof. Graham Harvey (Open University) in the United Kingdom. Having previously worked as a research assistant in Canada, she has been working as a lecturer since 2020.

Courses taught:

• Seminar (SA-25): ‘From the religious roots of ecology to new narratives of the end of the world’
• Seminar (SP-25): ‘Alternative spiritualities and well-being: new paths to salvation’
• Introductory seminar in religious studies (SA-23)
• Bachelor's symposium in religious studies (2021-2023)
• Course (SP-20, Aix-Marseille University) ‘Sociology of social networks and new technologies’

Publications:

• Itel, Julia. "Caring for the Living: Ecotherapy as a Form of Ecospiritual Engagement in Francophone Europe". Dans Bron Taylor (éd.), Dark Green Religion in Europe. Sheffield : Equinox Publishing. 2026 [upcoming].

• Itel Julia, Sarah Scholl, Mariel Mazzocco et Diletta Guidi (dir.). Spiritualités féminines : bilan et perspectives. Fribourg : Academic Press. 2026 [upcoming].

• Itel, Julia. "Ecospirituality in French-Speaking Europe: Linking Ecological Thought with Alternative Spirituality". Religions 14.4 (2023): 510- 510.

• Itel, Julia. "Ecospirituality: Bridging Science and Spirituality". Politics and Rights Review (2023) : N/A (en ligne).

• Dessibourg, Julien, Julia Itel and François Gauthier, "Transcender l’immanence : libérer les sciences du dualisme ontologique". NPSS 18.1 (2022): 127-165. 

• Itel, Julia. "Cultural Creatives: Embodiment of A Trans-Modern Vision". Dans Lori Beaman et Timothy Stacey (éd.), Nonreligious Imaginaries of World-Repairing. Londres : Palgrave Macmillan. 2021.

• Itel, Julia. "La génération d’après-guerre et l’émergence d’une conscience écosophique". Dans Géraldine Mossière (éd.), Dits et non-dits: Mémoires catholiques au Québec. Montréal : PUM, 2021.

• Itel, Julia. Spiritualité et société durable. L’engagement éthique des créatifs culturels. Gap : Yves Michel. 2019.

• "Se changer soi pour changer le monde, entre spiritualité et innovations sociales : le cas des créatifs culturels". Journal of Religion and Culture 28.2 (2019) : 123-138.