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.

Research Paper

Biblical studies. Join the Feminist Theology Network online 28 October, 7pm, to hear from Holly Morse about her work on the biblical character of Eve: "Eve: (M)Other of All Living." Exploring how women have interpreted Eve and understood her maternity, Holly will present a radical 'counter-history' to interpretations of Genesis 1-3. Join the mailing list for the event link.

National Gallery Course

Religion and Art. In December, Siobhán Jolley is teaching a three-part online course "Sacred stories: Saints in art" through the National Gallery. Through close examination of masterpieces in the collection, the course will explore how saintly figures shaped both devotional practice and artistic development, discovering how their stories continue to speak to contemporary concerns about compassion, moral courage and our relationship with the natural world. Siobhán is also writing a book on this subject to be published in 2026. Further information.

Didsbury Lectures 2025

Christian Theology. The 2025 Didsbury Lectures will be delivered by UoM HRF Stephen C. Barton. The theme for the event is 'The Conversion of the Emotions in Early Christianity'. His case studies will be: anger, grief, and joy. October 27th - 30th, 2025, 7:00 PM, NTC Chapel. Further information and registration here.

Go Abroad Fair

Student event. Expand your horizons and discover exciting new places by studying abroad, attending a summer school or volunteering internationally. Enhance your employability, experience new learning styles and develop your confidence, communication skills and cultural awareness Come to the Go Abroad Fair and talk to students who have already experienced studying and living abroad; find out more about our partner universities in over 30 countries around the world; meet staff from the Placements and International Programmes team; talk to representatives from Volunteering, Student Union, Confucius and local societies; and find out next steps and how to apply. Tuesday 21st October 11-3pm, Whitworth Hall.

Career Spotlight: Charity Officer

For students. Interested in making a difference through your work? Charity officers help plan projects, raise awareness, and manage partnerships that support communities and causes. Your RELT degree gives you great communication skills, cultural understanding, and an ability to think about ethical and social issues, all key in this sector. Check out the Prospects job profile for more detailed information on this role and book a careers meeting to discuss your career ideas further.

Book Launch

Public event. On Monday 3rd Nov 2025, Manchester Cathedral will host a launch for Dominic Budhi-Thornton's book 'Public Theology in the Post Secular Age - Lessons Learned from Manchester Cathedral', published by Wipf & Stock. Dom's book is based on his PhD research that he completed in our department, supervised by Peter Scott. Professor Elaine Graham says of the book 'This study of Manchester Cathedral offers a model of religious public engagement that is practical and inclusive. Budhi-Thornton calls for the cultivation of a theological imagination that is attentive to a diversity of voices and informed by expansive visions of what makes a good city.' 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 opened on the 1st September 2025. Further information.

Ehrhardt Seminar in Biblical Studies

 

Biblical studies.  Dr Andrew Mein (The Queen’s Foundation), "Mapping Biblical Reception: Questions, Answers, Stories". 27th October, 3-5pm – Room A116 Samuel Alexander Building and Zoom. For further information and Zoom link, please email Lynne Potts.

New publication

Judaism and science. Daniel R. Langton, Darwin in the Jewish Imagination: Jews' Engagement with Evolution Theory (Oxford University Press, 2025). This book offers the first major study of Jewish responses to Darwinian evolution, one of the most transformative and contested ideas of the industrial age. Spanning a century of intellectual and cultural history, it traces how Jewish thinkers—traditionalists, reformers, secularists, mystics, and philosophers—grappled with the profound implications of evolutionary theory for religious belief and cultural identity. Through close readings of key figures and debates across Europe, North America, and pre-state Israel, the book situates Jewish responses within wider contexts: the science–religion controversy, Jewish-Christian interfaith relations, and the challenges of modernity. A central theme is the tendency in Jewish thought to identify God with the evolving universe and its natural laws. The book explores how foundational concepts such as creation, divine action, and human morality were reinterpreted in light of Darwin’s ideas, and examines the impact of these reinterpretations on religious practice, ethical frameworks, and even internal Jewish eugenic discourse. Interdisciplinary in scope, this study not only shows how Jewish thought engaged creatively with evolutionary theory but also reveals the broader cultural and theological exchanges that helped shape modern Judaism. In doing so, it illuminates how science and Jewish religion entered into a dynamic and often enriching dialogue—very different from the experience of Christian religion and science—with lasting consequences for Jewish belief, identity, and intellectual life. Free access via Oxford Scholarship Online (with institutional sign-in) and available in hardback 4 Nov 2025. Further information.

Staff training, Antisemitism and Islamophobia

Religion and prejudice? If you’re curious about some of the ways that a large educational institution tackles these kind of complex religious-related topics, have a look at the current 30-min online courses on antisemitism and Islamophobia (under 'training' on the StaffNet EDI webpage). Feel free to share any suggestions for improvement with Daniel Langton (Head of R&T) since we can feed them back up to the EDI Directorate. 

New Publication

Church history. HRF Peter Nockles has just published 'Handing Down the Principles of Laud’: History and Propaganda in John Henry Newman’s Tractarian Battle for the Church of England' in Researching the English Reformation: Essays in Honour of W.B. Patterson, edited by Benjamin M. Guyer and William E. Engel (Brill, 2025). Further information.

Teaching Innovation

Undergraduate Scholars Project. Katja Stuerzenhofecker is leading a student project to review undergraduate teaching in the School of Arts Languages and Cultures. The Undergraduate Scholars Project encourages students to engage in (non-credit) funded research and writing on a variety of over-arching themes. Katja will direct students to investigate 'Generative AI – what does machine learning do in the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures?' Using SALC and its subjects as a starting point, students are invited to reflect on the present and future of higher education in the light of technological change. Case studies will evaluate benefits, risks, limitations and future potential of Generative AI for research, and for learning, teaching and assessment. Teaching excellence, as reflected by high student satisfaction and teaching awards, is central to the departmental ethos.

Religion & Theology Research Seminar

 

Religion & Theology.  This semester's R&T research seminar continues on 20th October with Erica Baffelli (UoM) '"A place to belong, a place that needs you, a place you can go home to": (Negative) Emotions and Belonging in Minority Buddhist Communities in Japan'. 3–5pm in Samuel Alexander A116 and online. Email Siobhán Jolley or Holly Morse for the online link. 

Faith spaces, University of Manchester

On Campus. If you're interested to see where the various kinds of faith facilities are located on campus, see this interactive map and select 'multifaith prayer and contemplation spaces'. See also this recent study of the use and benfits of such spaces in Manchester and a brief overview of faith, belief and worship at the university.

Incident at Heaton Park Synagague, Yom Kippur

In solidarity. We express our heartfelt sympathy with those who died, their families, and all who have been affected by the attack on the Heaton Park Synagogue on 2 October 2025. Rabbi Daniel Walker, the synagogue’s spiritual leader, is a former student of ours, and another of those present was the synagogue’s vice president Rob Kanter, a current PhD student with us, researching the history of Jewish-Muslim relations in the UK. Their ties to our community make this tragedy feel especially close. Education alone will not repair the world, but as we go about our work in the Department of Religions & Theology and in the Centre for Jewish Studies, attempting to understand religion, that most powerful of social forces, let us rededicate ourselves to building understanding, resisting hatred, and affirming the bonds of humanity that unite us. Here is the UoM President’s statement. 

BBC News

Judaism. R&T PhD student Rob Kanter, whose research is in Jewish-Muslim history, speaks to the BBC about the attack on Heaton Park Synagogue and continuing the Yom Kippur service. 2 Oct 2025. Further information.

Reading group, Phenomenology

Phenomenology. The Phenomenology Reading Group will resume this semester, reading Maurice Merleau-Ponty's Phenomenology of Perception. The group will pick up reading from page 28, "Attention" and "Judgement" to page 65 - the end of the Introductory Chapter (Landes English Translation 2012, 2014 Routledge). The first meeting will take place online, Wednesday October 8th at 5pm. Please get in touch with the convenor Alex Samely (alex.samely@manchester.ac.uk) if you wish to join.

PhD Student Monday Meet Ups

For PhD students. Charlotte Gargett has set up an informal meet-up for R&T PhD students (and friends), as a space for informal peer support and networking. These meetings will be Mondays from 1pm in the new Ellen Wilkinson building commons space, with the idea that everyone then goes along together to the R&T/Ehrhardt Seminars at 3pm afterwards. Do join!

Career Mentoring

Employability. Looking for career support directly from an industry professional? Then check out @uomcareers mentoring scheme – Your mentor will help you plan and prepare for your future career! Apply now: bit.ly/uomcareermentor. Open to second-year and final-year undergraduates, and postgraduate students. Now open for applications.

Going Beyond Belief Highlights

Public resource. Did the Biblical God make women inferior to men? On our Going Beyond Belief page “And God Created Women…” Holly Morse explores the various ways in which religious interpreters have understood the gender dynamics at play in Genesis 1–3, as well as how Adam and Eve have been depicted in popular culture. These pages, aimed at RS A-level students, are based on Holly’s research into feminist interpretations of the Hebrew Bible. They are complementary to Radio 4’s Beyond Belief programmes on Eve and Christianity and Gender Identity.

Religion & Theology Research Seminar

 

Religion & Theology.  We begin this semester's R&T research seminar on the 6th October will Maryanne Saunders (the National Gallery) speaking on "'Whose line is it anyway?' Considering matrilineality in Christian art'. Seminars this year will take place Mondays 3–5pm in Samuel Alexander A116 and online. Email Siobhán Jolley or Holly Morse for the online link. As it's the beginning of term, the seminar will be followed by a social gathering in Kro Bar.

Alumnus Success

Alumni Activity. Congratulations to R&T alumnus Giles Briscoe (class of 2018-19), Graduate Teaching Assistant at Edge Hill University, on becoming a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and receiving his Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching in Higher Education. He is looking forward to applying this learning at Edge Hill University, where he teaches social science subjects including youth studies, psychology, and sociology.

Synagogue Campus Tour

Welcome Week. This September, students learned about the history of a former Orthodox Jewish synagogue located in a residential building on Oxford Road until the 1960s. The tour was led by Dr Tereza Ward, R&T alumna and curator of the Christian Brethren Archive in the UoM Library, and Dr John Piprani, Lab Technician for Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology.

Summer School Teaching

Jewish studies. George Brooke co-taught a summer school on Heteronomous Texts in Early Judaism at the Friedrich Schiller Universität Jena 2-5 September as part of a long-standing DFG research project on Autonomy and Heteronomy in Texts.

Manson Memorial Lecture

 

Biblical Studies. 16th October 2025, Professor Grant Macaskill (University of Durham) "Transcending Differences: Revisiting the Pseudepigrapha in the Study of Early Jewish and Christian Theology". 4–5.30pm; Room C1.18 Ellen Wilkinson Building.

Buddhist Studies Seminar

Buddhist studies. The Fear Research Network invites you to a seminar with Dr Sara Swenson (Dartmouth College) who will deliver a paper "Harsh Truths and Mistaken Vows: The Ugly Side of Buddhist Charisma". In this talk, Sara will examine "the ugly side" of Buddhist charisma through the case of an iconoclastic monk in Vietnam. Lay and monastic followers respected this monk for his extraordinary capacity to read minds and perceive karmic obstacles in the lives of others. He also defied conventional monastic vows by openly consuming meat and alcohol, wearing lay clothing, and teaching through insults. The paper will analyze the dynamics of this Buddhist community through theories of charisma and moral aesthetics. 16 October, 4–5.30pm, in room Williamson 2.05.

Career Fairs

Employability. This autumn, the University’s Careers Service offers two career fairs that might be of particular interest to students in Religions and Theology. (1) Autumn Careers Fair for those interested in humanities and business roles to meet with recruiters and learn about internships, placements, and graduate opportunities, on 28-29th October. (2) The Law Fair. Open to law and non-law students’ this is your chance to meet with law firms, professional bodies and education providers to chat about opportunities available such as training contracts and vacation schemes and much more, on 11th November.

New Publication

Religion and the Environment. The report from the Religion, Theology and Climate Change project, led by Peter Scott and Finlay Malcolm, was published in September. Their project explores the emerging creative ecotheological trends arising from environmentalist Christian groups and organisations as they respond to the climate crisis. The report outlines and summarises the main findings from the project, offers recommendations for policy and practice for religious groups and organisations, and contains a foreword from Chine McDonald, the Director of religion and society think tank Theos. Read it here.

Visiting Prof Appointment

Academic fellowship. HRF Youssef Choueiri has been invited by the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) to spend the period from 1 September 2025 to 31 August 2026 as a Visiting Professor based in the Department of International Relations.

Publication News

Dead sea scrolls. George Brooke's co-edited T&T Clark Companion to the Dead Sea Scrolls is now out in paperback (August 2025) at £30 instead of £180 in hadback. ALso available as an ebook at £27. Buy it here.

New Position - UKRI Research Associate

Coptic studies. Applications are invited for the post of Research Associate on the UKRI-funded project "Coptic in Manchester: Connecting Manuscripts and Communities". The applicant will be primarily working on Coptic manuscripts in the John Rylands Library and engaging with the local Coptic community. Part of this role will include translating select manuscripts into English and Arabic for a digital exhibition. The duration of the position: 1 Feb 2026–31 Jan 2027. Salary: £37,694. Closing date: 31 October 2025. Further information.

Beyond Belief Event

Public resource. Join our partners for Going Beyond Belief, the BBC Radio 4 programme Beyond Belief, for a new recording at St George’s Hall, Bradford, 10:30am on Sunday the 21st of September. Host Giles Fraser will lead the panel as they discuss ‘Have religions forgotten the working class?’ The recording will also feature some of Bradford’s best spoken word artists – giving their creative response to the discussion. Tickets available here.

Graduate Outcomes Survey.

For graduates. Did you graduate from UoM between 1 May and 31 July 2024? You’ve been sent the #GraduateOutcomes survey via email! It aims to understand your perspectives & your current status. Find out more here & @graduate outcome.

New Publication

Theology. Wren Radford has a chapter titled 'Theology in the making: A glossary of theopoetic practices (for relating to oneself, others, materials, traditions and the Sacred)’ in Theology Through Creative Practice: Engagements with the Work of Heather Walton, edited by Alison Jasper, David Jasper, and Doug Gay. The chapter takes an innovative glossary approach for exploring creative practices as signalling the constructive, ongoing nature of theological work; specifically playing with practices (arranging; attending; breaking; entangling; experimenting; failing; gathering and re-using; grieving; improvising; patterning; playing; remaking; sketching; writing) and using reflective writing and photographs to explore critical questions in practical and liberative theologies. The collection is published by Sacristy Press. Further information.

British New Testament Society at Manchester Success

Biblical studies. New Testament scholars from far and wide descended upon University Place in early September as the University of Manchester R&T department hosted the highly successful British New Testament Society Annual Meeting 2025. With thanks to the in-house organisers, Andy Boakye, Siobhán Jolley, Peter Oakes, and Sarah Parkhouse, and the wonderful team of PhD student volunteers, Dan Skuce, Kate Bowen-Evans, Lynne Potts, Josh Hunt and Josh Crosby.  

Student Activity

Volunteering. Recent R&T graduate Abigail Thomas (Philosophy & Religion, class of 2024-25) found that volunteering with Girls Friendly Society (GFS) Rusholme was one of the highlights of her time in Manchester. She helped create a safe space where girls could express themselves and think critically about the world. In the weekly sessions, she empowered young women by tackling topics such as self-confidence, women’s safety, and gender roles. She is excited to continue with GFS and support girls in her hometown.

Career Spotlight: Policy Officer

For students. Ever thought about working in policy? Policy officers help shape decisions in government, charities, and other organisations by researching issues and recommending solutions. With a RELT degree, you’ve built skills in critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and making sense of complex ideas, exactly what’s needed in this field. Check out the Prospects job profile for more detailed information on this role and book a careers meeting to discuss your career ideas further.

New Publication

Religion and technology. Scott Midson has written a forward for "In Robots We Trust Get" by Samuele Vinanzi, published by Oxford University Press (2025). The book introduces the reader to the issue of trust in relationships between humans and robots. Intelligent machines are becoming an integral part of our society: from self-driving cars to delivery drones, robots are an increasingly common presence in our daily lives. As we witness their rapid advance, our society faces a critical question: can we trust them?

The Conversation - Being funny helps populist politicians

Religion and politics. Recent PhD grad Adam North has published "Being funny helps populist politicians create bonds and get voters on board" in The Conversation. The piece is linked to Adam's previous work on truth-telling and upcoming postdoc project. Read it here.  

Post Graduation Careers Kickstart

Employability. The University’s Careers Service offers a one-hour workshop ‘Careers Kickstart: Getting started on planning your post graduation career’. The workshop focuses on: Identifying career goals; Highlighting upcoming opportunities; and Articulating your skills effectively when applying for roles Note places are limited! Further information and booking here.

Editorial Consultant Appointment

Church History. Honorary research fellow Dr Peter Nockles has been appointed to the role of editorial consultant for the Newman Studies Journal.

New Publication

Religion and theology. Wren Radford has published 'Of bodyminds and blank pages: the transmutability of life writing and an ethic of reading with crip queer care' in Literature and Theology, Volume 39, Issue 1, (March 2025), Pages 4–19. The abstract: "Life writing, and particularly trans, queer, and disability life writing, remains a contested site, accused of being too personal to spur on social change and of feeding a public appetite for forms of confessional, apologetic writing that reinforces social scripts about bodies and selves. Yet queer, trans, and disabled life writers are also transmuting the genre, working with making unbearable conditions bearable. Recognizing life writing as a mode of theological construction and a site of debates around embodiment, selves, and epistemology, the article engages articulations of the material body as a locus of theological knowledge. The article develops an ethic of reading with crip queer care, refusing to read for diagnosis, disclosure, and cure, and instead reading with disorientation, dissociation, exhaustion, and familiarity." Further information.