My background is in modern Christian theology, exploring in particular the point at which Christianity as a religion connects with popular culture and the arts. I have been working in the field of theology and film for over 15 years (Explorations in Theology and Film [1997, co-edited with Gaye Ortiz], Cinema and Sentiment, [2004], Theology Goes to the Movies [2007]), though have more recently broadened out to undertake work in popular music. There is much critical, empirical and reflective work which needs doing at the interface between religious, cultural, sociological and media and film studies about how popular culture is currently ‘consumed’ and what this means for patterns of meaning-making in contemporary society. Being based at the Institute of Lifelong Learning provides an opportunity to be involved in serious inter-disciplinary work in this area.

I continue to be interested in topics relating to where my research began (19th century German theology; Albrecht Ritschl and the Problem of the Historical Jesus [1992]), and am beginning to work on texts by Friedrich Schleiermacher which I have not had chance to study before (e.g. on pedagogy). I want to find out how and why Schleiermacher’s interests in the arts and education took shape, and what their deep impact on education, and on theological education, have meant for the present and might mean for the future. I am also exploring what Schleiermacher’s roots in, and movement away from, German Pietism have contributed to his development. I intend to draw a comparison and contrast with John Wesley’s indebtedness to, and criticism of, Pietism for the Fernley-Hartley lecture, which I have been invited to give in 2010.

Though there are constraints of time on the number of research students I can take on, due to the management focus of my appointment, I would be pleased to hear from anyone interested in undertaking research in the fields of study in which I work.