Keynote Address

Practical theology. The British & Irish Association for Practical Theology 2026 conference 'Power and the Common Good' features a keynote from recent PhD graduate Raj Patta who will offer a decolonial theological interrogation of the common good that is rooted in practice and draws on his work in Dalit public theology. Further information.

Project Website Launch

Digital humanities. The website for the UKRI-funded 'Coptic in Manchester: Connecting Manuscripts and Communities' project led by Sarah Parkhouse (PI) has been launched. Check it out here.

New Publication

Methodist studies. Tina Woof (PhD Candidate at NTC) has published "Phoebe Palmer: Holiness as Kenotic Foundation for Proto-Feminist Advocacy," Wesley and Methodist Studies 18 (2026): 54–78. Further information.

SALC student survey on module choice

Student consultation. Frances Connolly (Student Rep for School of Arts, Languages and Cultures) has prepared this 5 minute questionnaire. SALC is reviewing how module options are organised and wants student input on module choice. The survey seeks to understand how much choice students want and what factors (e.g. variety, flexibility, planning certainty) you value when selecting modules. Responses will guide departmental decisions on balancing the number of options with practical constraints, ensuring student priorities are considered in programme restructuring. Further information.

 

International Exhibition

Biblical studies. Centre for Biblical Studies member and Rylands curator, Jeremy Penner, has launched a major immersive exhibition in Austin, Texas that brings to life the voices of a multilingual, multicultural society from Greco-Roman Egypt. One key item on showcase is the world’s earliest known New Testament fragment – the St. John fragment – on view in North America for the first time, alongside rare papyri and artifacts from Greco-Roman Egypt usually housed at the Rylands. The exhibition will run in Texas April 11–August 2, 2026 and come to Manchester later this year. Further information.

New Publication

Biblical studies. Sarah Parkhouse has published 'The Limits of the Dialogue Gospel Genre: Recategorizing the Gospel of Thomas', Early Christianity 17 (2026): 31-47. Further information.

Student Summer Ball

For students. Celebrate the end of the academic year at the 2026 Liberal Arts and Religions & Theology Summer Ball! Saturday, 2nd May, 6:30pm - 12am, King Street Townhouse, 10 Booth Street, M2 4AW.  Dress Code: Black Tie. All students from both courses and any year group welcome, plus one available when purchasing tickets. Buy your tickets here.

New Publication

Jewish studies. Ion Popa, Honorary Research Fellow, Centre for Jewish Studies, has published “A Father and His Sons: Wilhelm Filderman’s Efforts to Shelter His Children during the Holocaust,” Revista de Istorie a Evreilor din România (The History Journal of the Jews in Romania), no. 6-7 (22-23) (2025), pp. 325-342. Further information.

BBC News

Jewish Studies. A long-form BBC article on the rise of antisemitism in the UK, including comments from a former student of the department, Rabbi Daniel Walker of Heaton Park Synagogue. 20 April 2026. Further information.

New Publication

Biblical studies. Andrew Boakye has published “The Ethics of Resurrection: The Christ Event and Ethical Praxis in the Pauline Epistles” in New Testament Ethics: Hermeneutics, Texts, and Practice, edited by Nicholas J. Moore, Cheryl Hunt and Timothy J. Murray (Eerdmans, 2026). Further information.

Public Talk

Biblical studies. PhD student Lev Eakins delivered a 'Tuesday Talk' to the Holy Name Chaplaincy on the 24th March, concerning a fresh interpretation of Atonement Theory he coined the 'Agape Atonement Theory. This interpretation was developed out of part of his PhD research where he noticed some literary features in Mark's gospel indicated Mark believed the atonement agency of the Jerusalem Temple had transferred into the body of Jesus. Further information.

New Publication

Biblical studies. Honorary research fellow Walter Houston has published 'Folly at Bethel: Amos on Religion', pp. 177-94 in Religion in Ancient Israel: Essays in Honour of John Day, edited by Katherine Southwood, Stuart Weeks, and H.G.M. Williamson (LHBOTS 756; London: T&T Clark, 2026). In an earlier form, it was a paper read to the Ehrhardt Seminar. Further information.

Conference Papers

Wesleyan studies. Colleagues at Nazarene Theological College have given papers at the annual meeting of the Wesley Theological Society (WTS) in Seattle in March: Jacob Lett, "Christological and Creaturely Perfection: A Dramatic Retrieval of Maximus the Confessor" and Caleb Daniels (PhD Candidate), "Discipling the Reader: The Ethiopian Eunuch as the Implied Reader of Acts". Further information.