Simon Hewitt

Dr. Simon Hewitt is an Associate Professor in Theology at the University of Leeds, within the School of Philosophy, Religion, and History of Science. His expertise spans systematic theology, philosophical theology, philosophy of religion, and political theology. He holds a PhD from the University of London, with additional MA degrees from the University of London and the University of Oxford, and a BSc from Brunel University. Hewitt is Treasurer of the British Society for the Philosophy of Religion and the Book Reviews Editor for Religious Studies. His research focuses on apophaticism, theological engagement with critics like Marx and Freud, and the intersection of theology with mental health. He has authored influential works such as Negative Theology and Philosophical Analysis and Life After Death After Marx.

Teaching includes courses on metaphysics, philosophy of language, and religious studies at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. He supervises dissertations across academic levels and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Hewitt is actively involved in academic leadership, serving as Programme Manager for multiple theology degrees and as UCU School Representative. His interdisciplinary work bridges theology, philosophy, and social theory, with recent projects exploring mental illness as a lens for theological renewal.

Professional activities include organizing the Leeds History of Analytic Philosophy reading group and collaborating on research with scholars like Fillipo Casati and Tasia Scrutton. His theological advocacy emphasizes apophaticism, socialist dialogue with religious ethics, and the societal dimensions of mental health. Hewitt’s publications reflect a commitment to rigorously addressing theological challenges through both traditional and contemporary philosophical frameworks.