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Whilst embracing a broad and inclusive concern for multifaith issues (reflected in the field of religious education in schools) the Centre also has particular expertise in the field of theology and ministry. Within the twin streams of religious education and theological education and ministry, four key concerns predominate:
Centre for Theology, Religion & Culture
DESCRIPTION
The research carried out within our Centre is undertaken through three complementary foci: - Religions and public policy;
- Theological education and ministry (understood as formal and informal education in religious communities and the professional development of ministers of religion including youth ministers);
- Religious education (understood as formal education in secular and faith community schools, and the professional development of religious education teachers).
Whilst embracing a broad and inclusive concern for multifaith issues (reflected in the field of religious education in schools) the Centre also has particular expertise in the field of theology and ministry. Within the twin streams of religious education and theological education and ministry, four key concerns predominate:
- The nature of education policy, including: public policy at local and national level as it impacts on public understanding of religion and the place of religious communities in society; policy within specific faith communities as this relates both to their internal growth and development and their relationships with wider society;
- The interface between religions, theology and culture, in particular: the inter-relationship between popular culture and religious identity; social cohesion and respect for diversity; the impact of contemporary culture on religious belief and public religious literacy;
- Teaching and learning - both formal and informal - as it impacts on religious understanding and identity formation in schools and faith communities;
- The professional development of teachers and ministers of religion, including their professional practice and social, economic, political and religious contexts.
Associated research programmes
Associated staff research interests
Interests:
- The interaction of science and religion
- The “new atheism” of Richard Dawkins, and its significance for Christian apologetics
- The renewal of natural theology, and its relevance for a credible Christian cultural apologetics
- The theology of ministry
Email:
Website:
Interests:
I am currently co-ordinator of the Centre for Theology, Religion and Culture (CTRC), which focuses on research at the interface of religion, theology, education and culture in the department. The Centre provides an academic home for seven faculty members and around 100 students, approximately forty of whom are engaged in doctoral research.
Tel:
020 7848 3148
Fax:
020 7848 3182
Email:
Interests:
My primary areas of research are Christian political thought and theological ethics. My methodology is inter-disciplinary in approach and draws on theology, political theory and the social sciences. The focus of the research is on a number of issues that affect the contemporary church: notably, church-state relations in a multi-faith society; the intersection of citizenship, democratic politics and inter-faith relations; and the work of faith-based organisations from the local to the international. These foci are reflected in a recently completed three year research project on which I was Principle Investigator entitled: ‘Christianity, urban politics and pursuit of the common good through broad-based coalitions: the case of the Citizens Organizing Foundation’ (Arts & Humanities Research Council Research Grant AH/F010451/1).
Tel:
020 7848 3243
Fax:
020 7848 3182
Email:
Website:
Interests:
I am currently working on three research projects:
- Migration and Visual Culture: A Theological Exploration of identity, Catholic Imagery and Popular culture among Polish Young People (AHRC/ESRC Religion and Society Youth Call Small Grant 2009/2010)
- Interdisciplinary Workshops on Ecclesiology and Ethnography (British Academy Funded Small Grant 2009 – 2011)
- Greenbelt Festival as Liminal Ecclesial Space (starting in August 2009 festival this research project focuses on theological creativity, transmission and reception at Greenbelt)
Tel:
020 7848 3272
Fax:
020 7848 3182
Email:
Interests:
- Modernity and religious education
- Religious education in Northern Ireland
- Methodology in religious studies
- Religious conflict and Christian models of political forgiveness
Tel:
020 7848 3143
Fax:
020 7848 3182
Email:
CONTACTS FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Professor Alister McGrath
Email
Website