The world of study and engagement on religion and public life has become rather colorful and crowded of late, filled with all sorts of disciplinary specialists and actors. Working in this multi- and interdisciplinary space can be engaging or terrifying, given its opportunities and absence of clear boundaries and definitions. The papers in this edition examine the interdisciplinary space between “religion” and “the public” in Africa – with a focus on the intersection of religion, development and public health. The authors argue that achieving genuine dialogue, collaboration or transdisciplinarity in this space is elusive, but worthwhile.