Biography

Julia Itel is a lecturer at the University of Fribourg and a postdoctoral researcher on the ReligiS project (University of Strasbourg). She holds a PhD in the study of religions from the University of Fribourg (2020–2025) and specializes in ecospirituality, a form of contemporary alternative spirituality distinguished by its focus on "connection to nature." In 2024, she was a visiting researcher with Prof. Graham Harvey at the Open University in the United Kingdom. She previously worked as a research assistant in Canada and has been teaching university courses since 2020.

Courses taught:

• Master's colloquium in the study of religions (2026–2027)
• Lecture course (AS-26): "Introduction to Monotheism"
• Seminar (AS-26): "Mystical Currents in Different Religions"
• Seminar (SS-26): "Trance and Religion: Limit Experiences and Altered States of Consciousness"
• Seminar (SS-26): "Shamanism and Paganism: 'Neo' Religious Traditions?"
• Seminar (AS-25): "From the Religious Roots of Ecology to New Narratives of the End of the World"
• Seminar (SS-25): "Alternative Spiritualities and Well-Being: The New Paths to Salvation"
• Introductory proseminar in the study of religions (AS-23)
• Bachelor's colloquium in the study of religions (2021–2023)
• Lecture course (SS-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.