Research culture

The research culture at Exeter is characterised by conversation that crosses sub-disciplinary boundaries (biblical studies, patristics, historical theology, systematics, ethics and philosophical theology). We work hard to include students in that conversation, both through informal contact and a variety of research events.

Contact with academic staff

Students form a small, close knit group and have ample opportunity to interact with staff, and discuss their ideas informally. Members of staff typically meet on a daily basis in the common room where postgraduates are actively encouraged to join them and often do so. This sets the friendly feel of the Department; coffee-time conversations about matters of academic interest are crucial to maintaining the energetic, collaborative and rigorous environment in which our postgraduates flourish.

Research events

We have three streams of research seminars where students can present their work and which attract outside speakers. These are:

• biblical studies research seminar
• systematic/philosophical and historical theology research seminar
• department research seminar

We also encourage you to participate and present work at other research events such as:

• Department of Theology and Religion annual postgraduate study day
• Annual regional postgraduate study day for Theology and Religious Studies students run jointly with the University of Bristol and University of Bath
• School of Humanities and Social Sciences' annual postgraduate conference

Students also present papers further afield e.g. the Society for the Study of Theology; Britsh New Testament Conference; Society for the Study of Christian Ethics and European meeting of the American Academy of Religion and Society of  Biblical Literature.