Future Zoroastrians: Leadership Programme for Emerging Priestly Leaders

Designed for Zoroastrian priests across global communities, this programme supports the next generation of leaders who are committed to thoughtful, values-driven leadership. 

Through a blend of scholarly learning, practical skills development and personalised coaching, participants will explore contemporary community challenges and build the confidence and capacity needed for meaningful leadership.

The programme includes a one-week intensive residential course at SOAS in London, taking place 29 June to 3 July 2026. Convened by Dr Mariano Errichiello (Shapoorji Pallonji Lecturer at SOAS), the course will be delivered by Dr Arash Zeini (Bahari Research Fellow, University of Oxford), Dr Ruzbeh Hodiwala (Research Assistant, SOAS) as well as Freya Birdie (professional coach, USA) who will lead the programme’s leadership stream. All selected participants will have travel and accommodation fully funded, thanks to the generous support of Dr Zar Amrolia, whose commitment to nurturing future generations of Zoroastrian leaders we gratefully acknowledge. Applications have now closed. Please sign up to the SSPIZS mailing list to join next year's cohort.

Image: Ossuary from Krasnaya Rechka depicting Zoroastrian Sogdian priests performing a ritual ceremony associated with the sacred fire. In M. Shenkar (2025), Sogdians in Their Homeland, Asian History.