New Publication

Biblical Studies. Sarah Parkhouse has published 'Perpetua in the Amphitheater: Spatial Power, Colonial Archaeology, and Christian History', Journal of Early Christian Studies 34.1 (2026): 19-44. This paper won the SBL Diamond Award for Integrative Studies 2023. Further information.

Online Exhibition

Digital humanities. As part of Centre for Biblical Studies’ CIDRAL-funded programme of events entitled Encountering Biblical Bodies the exhibition has today launched in the glass corridor in Samuel Alexander as well as online, with audio commentary from staff, students, and friends. Check it out here. Remember to sign up for the research cafe conversation on March 16th here (in-person only).

Ehrhardt Seminar in Biblical Studies

 

Biblical studies. 23rd March: Professor Katherine Southwood (University of Oxford), "Arranged Marriage and Migration in the Hebrew Bible: Rehumanising Women’s Stories through Narrative Imagination", 3-5pm, University Place 5.209 and Teams. For further information and/or Teams link, please email Lynne Potts.

Going Beyond Belief Highlights

Public resource.  Is Assisted Suicide Permissible? Michael Hoelzl takes readers through moral, religious, legal, and philosophical dilemmas of decision making on his Beyond Belief pages on Assisted Dying and Decision Making. Drawing on a real-life case taken from the Beyond Belief radio episode on assisted dying, these pages raise questions about autonomy, faith, and issues regarding time-pressured decision making. They challenge readers to think critically about who gets to decide when life ends - and why.

Art History Lecture

Art History. On 9th February, Siobhán Jolley chaired the Pilkington Lecture 2026 by Susanna Avery Quash of the National Gallery speaking on the topic ‘In Search of Women at the National Gallery'. Further information. 

Television Appearance and Consultant - Sky History

Biblical Studies. Andrew Boakye contributed to the TV documentary "Lost Grail with Alice Roberts" available on Sky History and other platforms. Andy spoke about the legends surrounding Joseph of Arimathea and the holy grail. Further information.

R&T Employability Event

For students. All 2nd and 3rd year Religion students on all degree programmes are welcome at a specialised careers event. 25th March, 2-4pm, Simon Building 4.38.

NSS appeal

National Student Survey. A few years back our department of Religions & Theology was one of very few subject areas in the University to achieve the legendary 100% student satisfaction score, and the only religious studies department with publishable results in the Russell Group to do so. We'd like to achieve this again and that means asking you, our students, for feedback and ideas on what we could do to improve your satisfaction. We're particularly interested in hearing about improving assessment and feedback, and also how encourage a  greater student voice. If you have a suggestion, please send it to our Head of Dept, Daniel Langton, or to our Staff-Student Liaison Officer, Eve Parker. Otherwise, please go ahead and complete the NSS!

CreativeAI Fully-Funded PhD Studentship

Digital humanities. Scott Midson is co-leading a CreativeAI PhD studentship with Łukasz Szulc (Digital Humanities) titled: "Love in the Time of AI: Online Dating, AI Bots and Romantic Relationships of Young Adults". The study is guided by three research questions: How are dating bots designed, deployed and envisioned for future use within the dating industry? How do young adults perceive, interact with and integrate dating bots into their romantic lives? What opportunities, challenges and ethical concerns do dating bots pose for young adults? Applications from students with a strong track record of exploring questions at the intersection of technology, society and intimacy, particularly within the humanities and social sciences are particularly welcomed. The application deadline is March 30th. Further information.

SALC Placement Scheme

Employability. The SALC Placement Scheme allows SALC students on a 3-year programme to convert their course into a 4-year programme with the third year being a placement year. Successful completion of the placement year will allow you to graduate with ‘with Professional Experience’ added to your degree title. Taking a placement year provides a wide range of benefits including valuable experience for future job applications, insight into your potential career choices, and the opportunity to apply your academic learning in a professional setting. You can apply for the scheme during your second year, and applications close on 1 May 2026. Further information.

Encountering Biblical Bodies Exhibition and Event

Biblical studies. Join us for an informal research cafe and exhibition viewing of Sarah Lightman’s Biblical Women. As part of the Centre for Biblical Studies’ CIDRAL-funded programme of events entitled Encountering Biblical Bodies, we are pleased to host works from artist Sarah Lightman’s Biblical Domestic and Menstrual Hystery series in the Samuel Alexander Glass Corridor. In these paintings, biblical heroines trade halos for housework and divine serenity for the messy reality of ageing bodies, menopause, and domestic labour. On Monday March 16th 4:30–6:30pm there will be an informal research cafe where artist Sarah Lightman will be in in conversation with Dawn Llewellyn (Chester), Holly Morse, and Siobhán Jolley. The exhibition is free to see any time Samuel Alexander building is open but the research cafe conversation must be booked in advance. Get your tickets here.

Career Spotlight: Human Resources Officer

For students. Interested in how organisations support and develop their people? Human resources (HR) officers help with recruitment, training, employee wellbeing, and workplace policies. A RELT degree equips you with strong communication skills, empathy, cultural awareness, and the ability to think carefully about fairness and ethics, all central to HR work. Check out the Prospects page for more detailed information on this role and book a careers meeting to discuss your career ideas further.

Ehrhardt Seminar in Biblical Studies

 

Biblical studies. 9th March: Dr Sherry Ashworth (University of Manchester), "Creative Engagement as Method in Biblical Studies: A Case Study and Reflection Drawn from Rewriting the Book of Esther", 3-5pm, University Place 5.209 and Teams. For further information and/or Teams link, please email Lynne Potts.