Screen & Talk

 

UK Jewish Film Festival. The Centre for Jewish Studies is a proud sponsor of the screening of the short programme British-Jewish Life on Film on Wednesday 3 December 2025, 18:30, at HOME, Manchester. The short films explore the diversity of British Jewish life and identity in Liverpool, Leeds, Birmingham, Norwich and Lincoln. Including the two winners of the Pears Short Film Fund at UK Jewish Film 2025, BESHERT, starring BAFTA-nominated actor Anton Lesser (WOLF HALL, GAME OF THRONES, THE CROWN) and TO FLY OR TO FLOAT starring Ben Caplan (SMALL AXE). This event is part of the UK Jewish Film Festival 2024.

National curriculum review in England

Religious studies in schools and colleges. The Guardian reports that 'the year-long curriculum and assessment review was asked by the government to look at primary, secondary and aged 16-19 phases of state education in England.' Proposal 5 of the ten key recommendations is 'Expand Religious Education. Religious education should be made part of the national curriculum at all stages, taking its content out of the hands of local advisory councils. The review heard evidence that RE provision in many schools “is not good enough and does not prepare pupils adequately for life beyond school”.' The Curriculum Review and Assessment report itself states 'Stakeholders’ responses to our Call for Evidence showed there was a strong consensus about the subject’s importance and its essential place in a school’s curriculum, stressing its important role in children and young people’s intellectual, personal, spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. RE is a place where they encounter differing beliefs, sometimes for the first time, understand the tenets of major faiths, and learn how to reason and wrestle with existential questions... RE provides a space for pupils to learn about human mutuality and reciprocity, that it develops their capacity to understand one another, and that it supports strong, secure, and confident communities with good relationships. Given the role that religion, belief and values play in local, national, and international events, it continues to be vital for children and young people to have access to high-quality RE.'

BBC Radio 4, Sunday

Religious studies at university. Scott Midson has been interviewed on Radio 4's 'Sunday' programme with Robert Beckford about the future of TRS degrees on 2nd November. The segment starts about 11:30, with Scott on from about 16:00. Listen here.

Ehrhardt Seminar in Biblical Studies

 

Biblical studies. 17th November: Dr Katie Turner (Public Historian & Educator), "Putting on the New Self:Representing Conversion with Costume Change in Bible Films", 3-5pm – Room A116 Samuel Alexander Building and Zoom. For further information and Zoom link, please email Lynne Potts.

Religion & Theology Research Seminar

 

Religion & Theology. 10th November. Meghan Rose Donnelly (UoM) 'The Convent in the Community: How secular Use of Sacred Space Contributes to Catholic Nuns’ Pursuit of the Good in Eastern Indonesia." 3–5pm in Samuel Alexander A116 and online. Email Siobhán Jolley or Holly Morse for the online link. 

Manchester Momentum Coaching and Development Programme

Employability. Manchester Momentum is the University’s coaching and development programme for second-year undergraduate students of Black, Pakistani and Bangladeshi heritage with home status. Benefit from: Personalised 1-1 coaching sessions; Learn how to set and meet your goals; Develop skills that matter to you; Grit workshop to develop your mindset; Community activities to build your network; Ongoing support to help you succeed at Manchester and beyond. Applications close on 24th November, 5PM. Apply here.

Polemics Reading Group

Philosophy. Students have set up a society called Polemics Reading Group aimed at students of all levels who have an interest in technical philosophy. The group convenes every two fridays (31st Oct, 14th Nov, and so forth). Follow them on Instagram, email for more information or scan the QR code on the image for the Whatsapp.

Student Law Fair

Employability. Interested in a career in law? Come along to the Law Fair on Tuesday 11 November, 11am–3pm in Whitworth Hall. Meet top legal employers including A&O Shearman, Clyde & Co, Express Solicitors, Linklaters, and Pinsent Masons. Open to both Law and non-Law students! Further information.

AHRC Project Religion, Theology and Climate Change

Christianity. As reported previously in this Blog, the Report of this project was published in September. It attracted press attention in the Church Times (News, 26 September) as well as responses in the letters page (Letters, 3 October). In his role as Principal Investigator, Peter Scott responded the following week Letters to the Editor, 10 October.

New Chairing Position

 

Biblical studies. Siobhán Jolley has been appointed as a co-chair of 'The Bible and Its Influence: History and Impact' unit for the International Society of Biblical Literature. Siobhán will serve from 2026–29 and the next meeting will take place in Adelaide, Australia, July 5–9th 2026.

Going Beyond Belief Highlights

Public resource. Are human beings free, or are their actions determined by larger forces over which they have no control? What exactly is "free will" and how does it play an important role in religious thinking? On our R&T-BBC collaborative resource, Going Beyond Belief, David Law takes a look at these questions in the context of Christian theology. A complementary page concentrates on the ideas of theologian Kierkegaard’s writings on predestination, providence, and governance. These pages can be used for a range of RS A level syllabi, and you can also listen here to the Beyond Belief radio feature on free will. David also teaches courses on these topics throughout our undergraduate degree programme.

Highlight: Fear and Belonging Project

Buddhist Studies. Fear is fundamental to human experience. It tends to be analysed as a negative and disempowering emotion, but it can also create solidarity and be a potent force for change. A project led by Erica Baffelli and Jane Caple, with Sian Fan as a collaborating artist, investigates the productive role of fear in contemporary religious belonging through studies of two distinct minority Buddhist communities in the UK and Japan. The project is funded by a Leverhulme Trust research project grant. Further information.

Careers Service News

For students. Interested in sustainable and ethical careers? Sign up to the career services' focus groups in November and get a £10 voucher for participating. Sign up here.