Religion and ethics in public life

Much of our research in areas of contemporary theology and religion is concerned with issues in public life and contemporary ethics.

The Network for Religion in Public Life aims to promote understanding and co-operation between academics and religious communities in respect of the interaction between religion and public life. The network is directed by Esther Reed who has recently published a book on human rights.

Other staff carrying out research in this area include:

• Tim Gorringe has published widely on theology and public issues, from food and farming to crime and the built environment.
• Adrian Thatcher has written a number of books on sexual ethics, marriage and the family.
• Mike Higton is working on theology and higher education.
• Christopher Southgate works on the interface between science and theology, particularly in relation to evolutionary science and ecology.
• Michael DeLashmutt works in issues raised by contemporary technologies.

Projects

A recent AHRC-funded project examined Vegetarianism as a Spiritual Choice and a number of projects have had a focus on some aspect of environmental concerns such as Uses of the Bible in Environmental Ethics, also funded by the AHRC, and a study of the Church and Climate Change. Further projects with similar concerns will continue to be developed. Visit our research projects web pages for details.