Our staff undertake research of international quality, write journal articles and books and are working at the forefront of the exciting new field of global philosophies.
In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF), all aspects of our research environment were graded ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’.
Our international lecturers are highly respected in their fields. All are active researchers who contribute to contemporary debates through their publications.
Funded by the AHRC, we provide resources to support methodological training in the field.
This major research programme aims to advance the scientific understanding of atheism and other forms of so-called ‘unbelief’ around the world.
The Centre for Anglican History and Theology take the lead in the study of Anglican history since the sixteenth century.
Religious Studies was ranked 7th in the UK in the most recent REF. Much of our research is interdisciplinary and our reputation for high-quality, impactful research continues to grow.
We conduct high-quality research projects that engage wider communities with an understanding of the impact of religion in their lives.
Much of the research in the Department is interdisciplinary in nature, and staff are committed to the pioneering of new approaches and new methodologies. Our staff currently have research interests in:
Our research projects have informed United Nations policy on NGOs, government policy on child migration, major exhibitions by the V&A Museum of Childhood, and even inspired folk music.
Members of the Department are leading a major research project on understanding unbelief to advance knowledge in understanding atheism, and studying the rise and popularity of mindfulness meditation practices.
The Department has attracted prestigious research awards from the British Academy, the Arts and Humanities Research Council, the John Templeman Foundation and the Leverhulme Trust.
Visit our People page to discover more about our academic staff, their interests and activities, and how to contact them.
The Understanding Unbelief programme presented results from its research at a landmark conference which advanced understanding of unbelief.
This two-day festival hosted by the Department of Religious Studies included panels, interviews and comedy performances.
