In this 2018 Presidential Address to the Religious Research Association, I explore the applied religious identity of the Association. This address also addresses the manner in which individual basic research efforts could benefit from key practices of an applied research mindset. This applied identity is central to the Religious Research Association as I show from a sketch of its history and through references to previous Presidential addresses. I then discuss three questions that an applied orientation raises for individual research, for dissemination of research findings, and for the future of the Association. I propose answers to this final question that suggest out possible directions forward for the Association to strengthen its distinctive identity characteristic while also addressing the current needs of the broader religious community.

中文翻译：

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应用的含义：对宗教研究协会身份的反思

在 2018 年对宗教研究协会的主席讲话中，我探讨了该协会的应用宗教身份。该演讲还讨论了个人基础研究工作可以从应用研究思维的关键实践中受益的方式。这种应用身份是宗教研究协会的核心，正如我从其历史概述和对以前总统讲话的引用所展示的那样。然后，我讨论了应用导向为个人研究、研究成果的传播和协会的未来提出的三个问题。我提出最后一个问题的答案，为协会提出可能的前进方向，以加强其独特的身份特征，同时满足更广泛的宗教社区的当前需求。