External engagement
We seek to reach as wide an audience as possible for our research, establishing and developing communities of engagement at local, national, and international levels. We regularly work with church and faith leaders from the local area and further afield, as well as academics.
Collaborations and partnerships
Martin Poulsom is a trustee of the environment charit Project Noah, and a board member of Operation Noah, where he combines the theoretical focus of his research on the theology of creation with various forms of practical action in justice, peace, and the integrity of creation, particularly with young adults. He also supports Teach the Future ––a student-led campaign calling for the education system to prepare young people to tackle the climate crisis.
Andrew Rogers works with Theos Think Tank, Equality and Human Rights Commission through his Faith and Place network.
Clare Watkins is a Trustee of the relationship charity Marriage Care and has worked with them on developing volunteer training through theological action research projects.
We work closely with local government networks in order to support the role of faith in society. We have focused the development of these networks in Greater London, but our reach extends nationally.
Andrew Rogers and Richard Burgess have developed extensive networks with London boroughs, many of which have been formalised through the Faith and Place Network, including Hackney, Southwark, Haringey and Wandsworth.
David Muir (Head of Whitelands College) provides a crucial link between research and practice, connecting our researchers with his extensive practitioner and policy networks. Muir is a member of the External Council of the Downing Street Black Leaders’ Group and the Mayor of London Leaders’ Group.
Clare Watkins serves on the International Methodist-Roman Catholic Dialogue Commission as an appointee of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity; and is likewise appointed to the International Committee for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
Public Engagement
We also engage the public through various radio, tv, podcasts, talks and journalism.
Simonetta Calderini has contributed to BBC World Service and BBC Radio 3 productions.
Fiona Ellis has done various podcasts and interviews – most recently for Tripp Fuller’s Home-Brewed Christianity https://trippfuller.com/2020/08/11/fiona-ellis-expansive-naturalism-the-desire-for-more/,
Clare Watkins has contributed to a number of public-facing events concerning LGBTQ Christian life and is a regular contributor to discussions in faith and education events.
Karen O’Brien-Kopp is a regular contributor to various podcasts, e.g. https://podcast.yogicstudies.com/ , https://newbooksnetwork.com/routledge-handbook-of-yoga-and-meditation-studies