ISERT is an acronym for International Society of Empirical Research in Theology. It was founded in 2002 by Johannes Van der Ven and a group of colleagues and meet at its inaugural Conference in Nijmegen University

The Society has grown these years and matured about the meaning of empirical theology and its relationship with ‘practical theology’. Indeed it has been close from its inception to the International Academy of Practical Theology (IAPT). However, and despite the clear parenthood and convergent methods, ISERT tries to transcend the boundaries of Practical Theology and considers the relevance of empirical methods for systematic and moral theology as well, and in highly significant fields like the science-and-religion or theology-and-religion dialogue, which move beyond practical theology.

We want to build a living and vibrant community, very inter-confessional and interdisciplinarly oriented, comprising different theological strands and treaties, and aimed at renewing the theological current stand with new contributions and a more solid link with scientific rigor.