BBC Culture Interview

Bible and art. Siobhán Jolley was interviewed for a BBC Culture feature 'Penitent sinner or fiery saint? Mary Magdalene is one of the Bible's most divisive figures'. As well as speaking about the art featured in the article, Siobhán is also curating a touring art exhibition Mary Magdalene: Woman and Myth. Further information.

New Book Publication

Religion, Philosophy, and Law. Guy Baldwin (Law) has published Liberty of Conscience: Justification and Limits with Bloomsbury. The book shows that protection of liberty of conscience (often called religious freedom) is warranted because of its importance to the exercise and development of the two moral powers of individuals that comprise their moral personality: the power to judge right and justice, and the power to form and pursue a conception of the good. However, some possible limitations for the right relating to the rights of others and the common interest flow from this rationale. Utilising this theoretical account, the book analyses two case studies at the limits of religious freedom in the law of the UK and USA: pandemic lockdown restrictions on religious gatherings, and non-discrimination laws in their application to same-sex couples. Further information.

Biblical Bodies Event

Biblical studies. Please join the Centre for Biblical Studies for the next event in the Biblical Bodies project, a guest lecture from Professor David Tombs on "Scraps of Dignity: The Crucifixion Loincloth and a Blue Plastic Bag." Weds 28th October, 4-6pm. Samuel Alexander SG16. The event is hybrid, but since David will be visiting from Aotearoa New Zealand it would be great to see as many of you in person as possible. For those beyond the University, a quick RSVP to Siobhán will help with planning, especially if you are able to join us in person. If you have any access needs, please also email Siobhán.

New Publication

Biblical studies. Honorary fellow Prof Loveday Alexander has published “Luke’s Urban Imagination” in John Kloppenborg (ed.), Early Christianity in Civic Space (BETL 343; Leuven: Peeters, 2026). This was a contribution to the 2023 Colloquium held at KU Leuven in July 2023.

Careers Service: Support for new and returning students

For students. Did you know we have a dedicated Careers Service here at UoM? Check out @uomcareers for support with part-time jobs, exploring career options, help with job applications and much more: bit.ly/uom-careers. We also have an Autumn Careers Fair upcoming on 20th & 21st October, 11am-4pm Whitworth Hall.

Sisters of Sinai Prize Judge

International collaboration. Sarah Parkhouse is serving as a judge for the Sisters of Sinai Prize for outstanding scholarship in Christian apocrypha. The prize is named in honor of Agnes Smith Lewis and Margaret Dunlop Gibson, sisters who are responsible for a number of significant collections of texts and translations based on manuscripts they viewed or acquired in their travels to Egypt and the Sinai in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Further information.

Sherman Community Lecture 2026

Jewish Studies. Dr Jonathan Boyd (London Institute for Jewish Policy Research) will give the next Sherman Community Lecture (co-sponsored by the Jewish Rep Council of Greater Manchester) entitled "British Jews in 2026: Where are we now, and what might the future hold?". Monday 19 October 2026 8pm (online). Further information.

New Publication

Philosophy and religion. David Law has published "Kierkegaard's Existential Apophaticism" in The Oxford Handbook of Apophatic Theology, pp. 394-413. Further information.

Pizza Party

Event. To welcome everyone (back) to campus, we are hosting our first R&T Pizza Party of the 2026-27 academic year! Weds 30th September, 4.30-6.30pm in Lime Café (lower ground floor of Samuel Alexander building). If you're new and unsure about anything, feel free to ask any lecturer or student you meet in welcome week/your first week!

Plenary Conference Paper

Theology and religion. Wren Radford gave a plenary presentation ‘Engaging Creative and Arts-based Approaches’ at the Ecclesiology and Ethnography Network Conference in Durham on the 8th September. Wren also took part in the plenary panel on the theme of ‘Creativity and Crisis’ with Robert Song, Heather Walton, Christian Scharen. Further information.

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.