Student Union's buddy scheme

Student well-being. Recognising that this is a difficult time for many of our students, the Students’ Union have recently launched a Buddy Scheme for students who are isolating, based off-campus, or simply want someone to chat to. This scheme is similar to the Check-In and Chat scheme which is part of the University's Student Well-being Support resources, but its distinguishing feature is that it is peer-led rather than offered by University staff. Students will be matched with another student (a ‘peer buddy’) based on hobbies, interests or course for weekly phone or video catchups, providing some social contact and the chance to make a new friend. Students can sign up to the scheme using this online form. For students who are interested in volunteering as a peer buddy, they can apply through the Volunteer Hub. More information can be found about the scheme on the SU website.

Social Responsibility, College Trustee

Social responsibility. Peter Oakes is becoming a trustee of London School of Theology, the college where Oakes studied as a Theology undergraduate. From January 2021 he is due to be chair of the trustees’ Academic Advisory Committee, in succession to Professor Hugh Williamson, FBA.

Religions & Theology Research Seminar

Christian Studies. Dr Charles S. Pemberton (University of Durham) “Food Banks and Theology” 16:00 - 17:30 26 November 2020. Further information.

Ehrhardt Seminar

Biblical Studies. Dr Walter Houston (University of Manchester) ‘One God, One People: Reflections on a Reconciled and Reconciling Pentateuch’ 14:00 - 16:00 26 November 2020. Further information.

New publication

Biblical Studies. Peter Oakes, ‘Revelation 17.1–19.10: A Prophetic Vision of the Destruction of Rome’, in The Future of Rome: Roman, Greek, Jewish and Christian Visions, Jonathan J. Price and Katell Berthelot, eds. (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2020), 206-226. This book is one of the outputs of a major European project for which Oakes was a member of the comité scientifique. Further information.

New publication

Biblical Studies. Peter Oakes, Empire, Economics, and the New Testament (Eerdmans, 2020). The book provides both a collection of Oakes’s key work in drawing together these fields, and a new piece, ‘A House Church Account of Economics and Empire’. Further information.

Virtual panel discussion, Toronto School of Theology

Christian Studies. Scott Midson contributed to a discussion of 'Posthuman and Transhuman as Theological Challenges' as part of the Virtual Forum Series 'Doing Theology during epochal shifts: fears and hopes', co-hosted by Trinity College Faculty of Divinity and Regis College of the Toronto School of Theology. Fri 23 Oct 2020. Further information.

Teaching excellence

Faculty nominations for teaching awards. Congratulations to Andy Boakye and Rosie Jackson for having been nominated for Teaching Excellence awards and Maria Calderhead for having been nominated for a Professional Services Award. These awards are a way of recognising those members of staff who make an outstanding contribution to teaching and learning. Students were asked to nominate those teachers who consistently provided a well-organised course that was taught effectively, supported through high-quality assessment/feedback and inspired and challenged them to learn. For other examples of local teaching success, see this year's remarkable NSS score, and last year's awards and nominations and student evaluations.

Screen & Talk event

Jewish Studies. Sponsored by the Centre for Jewish Studies, the screening of 'Transkids'. Tuesday 17 November 2020 7.30pm, online. Early booking is highly recommended. This screening is part of the UK Jewish Film Festival taking place on 5-19 November 2020. Further information.

New publication

Dead Sea Scrolls. Hon. Research Fellow in the Centre for Biblical Studies Helen R. Jacobus, "Function and Creativity in the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Cryptic Calendars from Qumran," in Dead Sea Scrolls, Revise and Repeat: New Methods and Perspectives, eds. Carmen Palmer, Andrew R. Krause, Eileen Schuller, and John Screnock (Atlanta: SBL Press, 2020), 199-249. Further information.

Online resource, Pop-Up Beit Midrash

Jewish Studies. Rothschild Foundation Hanadiv Europe Post-Doctoral Fellow, Dr Lindsey Taylor-Guthartz, runs a Pop-Up Beit Midrash, which aims to provide the highest quality Jewish study and education, with events and courses online, taught by the very best teachers and open to anyone who would like to learn. Note that there will be a fee. Further information.

Religious societies, University of Manchester

Why not find out more about the Hindu Society? Namaste and welcome! We are a student society motivated by the aim of creating a ‘home away from home’ environment for students. Each year our calendar is filled with enticing events, including a multitude of weekly, monthly and termly activities featuring sport, culture, education and socialising – not to mention THE Chandni Ball. This enables us to have a positive impact on the local Manchester community, including the wider Hindu and non-Hindu community, as well as raising awareness of Hindu beliefs and festivals – Diwali, Navratri, Holi... Further information.

New publication

Biblical Studies. George J. Brooke, 'Isaiah in the Qumran Scrolls' in The Oxford Handbook of Isaiah, edited by Lena-Sofia Tiemeyer (Oxford University Press, 2021), 429-450. Further information.