Ehrhardt Seminar in Biblical Studies

 

Biblical studies. Tom de Bruin (Radboud University), “Twilight Ruined Comic-Con”: Early Christian Texts in Dialogue Contemporary Fan Practices". 15th October, 2-4pm, University Place 6.211/Teams. For further information and/or Teams link, please email Lynne Potts.

New Publication

Jewish studies. Honorary research fellow Rob Kanter has published ‘Using histories of Jewish–Muslim relations to challenge misconceptions and highlight hidden histories in the teaching of the Holocaust’, Teaching History 203 (2006), pp. 14–22. The article is based upon sessions Rob led at the Historical Association conference in 2024 and 2025. One purpose is to provide a brief historiographical summary of how Jewish-Muslim relations have evolved in popular and scholarly spheres since 1900. The main intention is to provide teachers with increased subject knowledge and pedagogical suggestions about two case studies of Muslim rescue of Jews during the Holocaust, and how these narratives can be integrated into and expand wider Holocaust schemes of learning. Further information.

Career Spotlight: Marketing Executive

For students. Interested in understanding what makes people engage with an idea, organisation or brand? Marketing executives help organisations reach their audiences through campaigns, digital content, social media, events, and market insight. Through your Religion & Theology degree, you develop valuable skills by analysing how ideas are communicated, considering different cultural and social perspectives, researching complex topics, and adapting your arguments for different audiences. These skills can be really useful when creating messages that connect with people and understanding what influences their choices. Check out the Prospects page for more detailed information on this role and book a careers appointment to discuss your career ideas further.

Conference Paper

Christian studies. Peter Scott gave a paper "Climate Steward and Climate Prophet as Sacramental Ministries of Grace" at the conference of the Society for the Study of Christian Ethics, Sarum College (3–5 Sept). Further information.

Interfaith consultation

Religion and global conflict. Daniel Langton has been invited to a consultation session with Dr Ed Kessler and Dr Mohammed Ahmed regarding the Woolf Institute's Commission on Interfaith Relations: UK Faith Groups and Global Conflicts. The Commission seeks to better understand how global conflicts are translating into both inter- and intra- faith tensions here in the UK. 10 Sept 2026.

Alumni Success

Biblical studies. Congratulations to recent PhD graduate Rachel Miller who has accepted a job as Teaching Fellow in Old Testament and Hebrew Bible at the University of Edinburgh. 

Project Artwork Launch Event

Buddhist studies. Erica Baffelli offers an invitation to the launch event for the artwork connected to the project "Fear and Belonging in Minority Buddhist Communities". ‘grasp, grasp’ is a digital artwork which draws on the anonymised life stories of members of two different Buddhist communities, collected by University of Manchester academics Erica Baffelli and Jane Caple. The work is a web-based experience filled with emotive photography and soundscapes, which traverses multiple pathways. It changes shape, operating in different sequences and moving in different directions, inviting viewers to reflect on the ephemerality of emotions. The event takes place on Wednesday 30 September, 6.30-8.15pm, at esea contemporary. Tickets are free (limited capacity, advance booking required). Further information.

Spotlight: Alumni Profile

Careers. Sonia Singh-Lunj is a Theology and Ethics graduate who now works as a Delivery Manager at Kainos. 'My degree in Theology, Philosophy and Ethics equipped me with strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to understand multiple perspectives', Sonia writes. 'Since graduating, I’ve had several incredible opportunities to work in central government, delivering high-priority projects. My time at the Cabinet Office exposed me to a fast-paced and highly rewarding environment, which reinforced my drive to continuously develop both professionally and personally.' Read more about Sonia's journey here.

Conference Paper

Christian studies. Stephen Wright (NTC) will deliver a paper "Eschatology as Imagination: propositional and poetic utterance in evoking the Christian future" at the Society for the Study of Christian Ethics, Sarum College (3–5 Sept). Further information.

New Book Publication

Biblical studies. PhD graduate David E. Bell has published a revised version of his thesis as Children's Lives and Deaths in 1 Thessalonians: Impacts on Interpreting Context and Text. The monograph is part of the prestigious Library of New Testament Studies (LNTS), published with T&T Clark/Bloomsbury. Further information.

Conference Paper

New Testament Studies. Peter Oakes presented a paper at the Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas annual meeting at Durham, 'λόγον ζωῆς ἐπέχοντες (Philippians 2:16), an Elaborate Expression for "Having Life": Greek Idiom and Early Greek Exegesis'. He also responded to a paper by Timothy A. Brookins, '“Peace and Security” (1 Thessalonians 5:3) as a Religious Slogan: The Counter Gospel of a Heraclean Association’ and chaired a paper session.

Conference Poster

Coptic studies. Sarah Parkhouse showcased a poster demonstrating the progress of the 'Coptic in Manchester' project at the International Congress of Coptic Studies, Göttingen, 27 July – 1 Aug 2026. 

Conference Paper

Jewish studies. George Brooke contributed a paper on "Rethinking Midrash ha-Torah (1QS8:15)" to a Symposium on Communicating Torah in Ancient Jewish Culture and Early Christianity at the University of Münster in July.