Find Academic Supervisors

• Islamism
• Political Sociology
• Middle East Politics
• +3 more

Dr. Doha Abdelgawad is a Teaching Fellow in Religious Studies specializing in contemporary Islam at the University of Leeds. She holds a PhD from the University of Warwick and has previously taught at the University of Chester and Cairo University. Her research focuses on Islamism, political sociology, and the Middle East, particularly exploring religion and violence, secularisation theory, and state dynamics in Islamist political discourse. Education: PhD in Politics and International Studies, University of Warwick MA in Political Science, American University in Cairo BA in Political Science, Cairo University Research Interests: Abdelgawad examines the intersection of Islamism, state politics, and secularisation theory. Her work analyzes the Muslim Brotherhood’s political strategies, generational divides, and responses to political upheavals like the 2013 Egyptian coup. She critiques conventional secularisation narratives through Islamist movements’ discourses. Publications: Her recent publications include studies on post-2013 Egyptian Brotherhood disengagement and radicalization dynamics. A forthcoming book, Unheard Voices: The Young Egyptian Brothers Between Apathy and Radicalization , explores generational shifts in Islamist movements. Teaching: Abdelgawad leads modules on Muslims in Britain and multiculturalism, and co-teaches courses on religion, politics, and sociology.

John LydonView profile

Professor

• Spiritual Capital
• Catholic School Leadership
• Religious Charism Transmission
• +14 more

Professor John Lydon is a leading scholar at St Mary’s University London , where he serves as Director of the MA in Catholic School Leadership Programme and Deputy Director of the Centre for Research and Development in Catholic Education. He is also an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Notre Dame in London. His academic work focuses on spiritual capital , Catholic school leadership , and the maintenance of distinctive religious charisms in the face of 21st-century educational paradigms emphasizing marketisation and school effectiveness. Education: PhD (University of Surrey), MA (University of Liverpool), BA (University of Durham) Lydon’s research explores how Catholic schools sustain their religious identity through spiritual capital theories , leadership formation , and innovative programs like the MA in Catholic School Leadership. His work intersects with global challenges such as detraditionalisation , intercultural dialogue , and evangelisation in formal and non-formal educational settings. His 15 most recent publications (2009–2022) address themes like Teacher Vocation , Charism Transmission , Leadership Models , and Spiritual Capital Renewal , with a focus on Salesian pedagogy , faith formation , and global Catholic education partnerships across Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. Scientific Awards: Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy Moderator of the Vatican-Supported Catholic-Inspired NGO Forum Founding Member of the International Catholic Education Alliance Distinguished Partner with Global Researchers to Advance Catholic Education (GRACE) Lydon supervises doctoral students from Africa and mentors post-doctoral researchers in Catholic education. He has served as External Examiner for doctoral and master’s programs in the UK and Scotland and as a Section 48 Inspector for Catholic schools in England. His international engagements include keynote addresses at the University of Jaffna (Sri Lanka), St Louis University (USA), and the Vatican, alongside collaborations with UNESCO and the World Union of Catholic Teachers.

• Russian History
• European History
• Long-Nineteenth Century Studies
• +6 more

Dr. Thomas Marsden is a Lecturer in European History at the University of Stirling. Previously, he held a Lectureship at Brasenose College, Oxford (2016–2019) and a British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship at University College London (2013–2016). His research focuses on the intersection of religion and politics in the Russian Empire, particularly the history of Old Believers. He holds a DPhil in History from the University of Oxford and has conducted extensive archival work in Russia, Ukraine, and Austria. Research Interests: Old Believers and religious dissent in Imperial Russia Religion’s role in autocracy and state formation Social history of the Russian peasantry Secularisation trends and religious revival in the 19th century Awards: British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship (2013–2016) Fellow of the Higher Education Academy Current Project: A British Academy-funded study on Old Belief’s impact on the Russian Empire (1800–1917), examining its role in nationalism, liberalism, and revolutionary movements.

• Cognitive Anthropology of Religion and Ritual
• Atheism and Secularisation
• Religious Identity and Ritual
• +3 more

Jonathan A. Lanman is a Professor of Cognitive Anthropology at Queen's University Belfast, affiliated with the School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics and the Institute of Cognition and Culture. He holds a DPhil and MSc from Oxford, an MA from the University of Missouri, and a BA from Southeast Missouri State University. His research focuses on the cognitive and evolutionary foundations of religion, including secularization dynamics and self-sacrificial behavior. His key projects include the Understanding Unbelief (£2.3m Templeton-funded) and Explaining Atheism initiatives, examining global trends in non-religious belief. He also explores ritual's role in group cohesion, drawing on fieldwork in Ireland, Japan, and Europe. Awards include Aarhus University's Distinguished Fellowship and leadership roles in international cognitive science associations. Key articles analyze atheist cognition, ritual efficacy, and CRED/CRUD dynamics. He mentors PhD students in cognitive anthropology and has collaborated with institutions like the ESRC and University of British Columbia. His work bridges social, cognitive, and evolutionary sciences to explain religious and secular belief systems.

Marcela IacubView profile

Researcher

• Legal History
• Bioethics
• Gender Studies
• +5 more

Marcela Iacub is a CNRS Research Director at the Centre de recherches historiques (CRH), École des hautes études en sciences sociales (EHESS), Paris. Her work bridges legal history, bioethics, and gender studies, with a focus on demography and social history through her affiliation with LaDéHiS. She explores the intersections of law, morality, and societal norms, particularly in reproductive rights, sexual violence, and LGBTQ+ issues. Research Interests : Legal history, bioethics, gender studies, demography, and social history. Teaching : Offers courses on censorship and legal theories at EHESS. Publications : Authored 10+ books, including Thinking about Birth Rights and The Empire of the Belly , with translations into Italian and English. Media Engagement : Contributed to Libération , Le Monde , and international journals on legal and social issues. Collaborations : Co-edited works with Eric Fassin, Daniel Borrillo, and Patrice Maniglier, focusing on family law and procreative choices.

Benjamin T. JonesView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Australian Political History
• Republicanism
• National Identity
• +5 more

Dr. Benjamin T. Jones is a Senior Lecturer in History at the School of Education and the Arts, Central Queensland University . As a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and Foundation Fellow of the Australian Studies Institute, he combines academic rigor with public engagement. Education : PhD (Australian National University, 2012), Master of Teaching (Secondary) and BA (First Class Honours) from Western Sydney University. His research spans Australian political history , republicanism , national identity , and pedagogical theory , with a focus on colonial histories and post-truth historiography . Recent articles analyze stigma in disease outbreaks , Indigenous health communication , and constitutional reform . Scientific Awards : National Secretary of Australian Historical Association (2022) Visiting Fellow at University of Cologne (2022) Royal Historical Society Fellowship (2021) Vice-Chancellor's Research Excellence Award (2020) A sought-after commentator, Jones has held Visiting Fellowships at Durham University, Indiana University, and University of the Third Age. His work on outbound mobility programs and Asia literacy has reshaped educational frameworks.

David NashView profile

Academic

• History of Blasphemy
• History of Atheism
• History of Secularisation
• +3 more

Professor David Nash is a Senior Research Fellow in History at Jesus College, University of Oxford. His academic career includes teaching positions at York, Leicester, and Oxford Brookes Universities. He holds Fellowships from the Royal Historical Society and the Royal Society of Arts. His research focuses on blasphemy, atheism, secularisation, legal history, and the history of shame. Education: BA in History from University of East Anglia, D.Phil. from University of York. Research Interests: Explores the cultural, legal, and social dimensions of blasphemy from antiquity to modernity. Investigates the intersection of law, crime, and religious belief in shaping societal norms. Key topics include the evolution of secular thought, criminalization of non-conformity, and the role of shame in enforcing moral codes. Publications span seven major works including Blasphemy in Modern Britain (1999) and Acts Against God (2020), analyzing legal frameworks and societal attitudes toward religious transgressions. Recent work emphasizes gendered perspectives in criminal history through Beyond Deviant Damsels (2023). Scientific Awards: FRHist.S (20XX), FRSA (20XX). His advisory work includes contributions to British, European, and UN policies on religious freedom and blasphemy laws. Advising & Grants: Supervises DPhil students in religious history and atheism studies. Collaborates with Anne-Marie Kilday on multiple projects. Advised governments on blasphemy-related legislative issues. Labs/Teams: Engaged with interdisciplinary research networks focusing on historical criminology and secularization studies.

Gladys GanielView profile

Professor

• Religion and Conflict
• Peacebuilding
• Secularisation
• +4 more

Professor Gladys Ganiel is a leading academic at Queen's University Belfast, affiliated with the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work and the Senator George J Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice. Her work focuses on religion's role in conflict resolution, post-conflict societies, and secularization trends in Ireland and Sub-Saharan Africa. She leads the ongoing project 'Reconciliation through Dealing with the Past: Learning from Presbyterian Responses to the Troubles.' Her research interests include: religion's evolving role in Northern Ireland's peace process, the dynamics of secularization in post-Catholic Ireland, and the global Emerging Church Movement. Notable contributions include studies on faith-based peacebuilding, post-violence reconciliation, and the intersection of religion with contemporary social issues like Brexit and the pandemic. Publications highlight her expertise in analyzing religious institutions' adaptability, youth religiosity, and the ethical dimensions of reconciliation. She has received prestigious awards including the Distinguished Book Award (2015) and Royal Irish Academy membership (2022). Active in public engagement, she frequently delivers keynote addresses and media commentary on religion's societal impact. Supervises PhD students in areas like: religion's role in conflict reconciliation, secularization trends among millennials, and the Catholic Church's evolving influence in Ireland.

Alana HarrisView profile

Associate Professor

• Religious Studies
• Gender Studies
• Modern British History
• +5 more

Dr Alana Harris is a Reader in Modern British Social, Cultural, and Gender History at King’s College London, serving as Director of the Department of Liberal Arts. She holds a doctorate from the University of Oxford and has taught at the University of Oxford before joining King’s in 2015. Her academic roles include Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy, Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, and Honorary Fellowships with the Centre for Catholic Studies (Durham) and the University of Divinity (Melbourne). Education: B.A./LL.B. (Melbourne University) with majors in Medieval and Renaissance History, followed by a doctorate in Modern British History at Oxford. Her research focuses on gender, religion, and cultural identity in modern Britain, particularly through lenses of sexuality, ethnicity, and material culture. Research interests span religious identities (post)secularisation, gender and feminism, London’s social history, and the intersection of history with anthropology and theology. She has published extensively on topics like Catholicism in 20th-century Britain, the Second Vatican Council, and the role of art in historical narratives. Recent work addresses child sexual abuse in religious institutions and global Catholic history. Public engagement includes collaborations with Somerset House, BBC productions, and exhibitions at the London Science Gallery. She has contributed to BBC radio programs and newspapers like The Guardian, exploring themes such as queer London history and anti-racism activism. Awards include King’s Education Awards (2017, 2019) and recognition for teaching excellence. Her books include *Faith in the Family* (2016) and *Sink or Swim: Catholicism in Sixties Britain* (2020). She co-edits volumes on British Catholic history and serves on editorial boards for journals like *Ecclesiology* and *British Catholic History*. Her work bridges academia and public sphere, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches and creative collaborations to engage broader audiences with historical research.

Laura RademakerView profile

Research Fellow

• Indigenous History
• Deep History
• Gender and Women’s History
• +5 more

Dr Laura Rademaker is an ARC DECRA Research Fellow at The Australian National University's School of History. She holds a PhD and a PhD (PhB) from ANU. Her research explores Indigenous self-determination, religious history, and cross-cultural encounters, particularly in the context of Australian Christian missions. She is the author of *Found in Translation: Many Meanings on a North Australian Mission* (2018), which won the 2020 Hancock Prize. Her work emphasizes 'cross-culturalising' history and integrating oral traditions with archival records. Key research interests include gender, secularisation, and deep history. She edits *History Australia* and the *Aboriginal History Monographs* series. Rademaker supervises research students and has led projects like *Self-determination for Indigenous Australia: histories, visions and voice* (2022–2026). She also serves as Secretary of the Religious History Association. Her recent projects investigate Aboriginal rock art narratives and the intersection of religion with Indigenous rights. Awards include the 2020 Hancock Prize, recognizing her contributions to Indigenous historiography.

• Irish Politics
• European Integration
• Church and State Relations
• +3 more

Professor Brian Girvin is an Honorary Professor of Contemporary Politics at the University of Glasgow's School of Social & Political Sciences. His research focuses on Irish political history, European integration, church-state relations, nationalism, and modernisation. He has published extensively on topics such as democratic consolidation in Ireland, the intersection of religion and politics, and Ireland’s socio-economic development. Notable works include analyses of Ireland's post-independence political trajectory, critiques of nationalism in India, and examinations of Putin’s geopolitical strategies. Girvin has also authored peer-reviewed articles on topics ranging from contraception debates in Ireland to the impact of EU treaties on national development. His edited volumes explore continuity and crisis in contemporary Irish society. His publications span journals like Irish Political Studies , Nations and Nationalism , and Acta Politica , with a focus on historical and comparative political analysis. Girvin’s work bridges historical and contemporary issues, emphasizing institutional transformation and the interplay between state policies and cultural dynamics.

Martin UbaniView profile

Professor

• Religious Education
• Multiculturalism in Education
• Teacher Education
• +3 more

Martin Ubani is a Professor of Religious Education at the University of Eastern Finland's School of Theology, part of the Philosophical Faculty. His work focuses on religious education in multicultural contexts, teacher training, and spiritual education. He has authored/co-authored numerous books and articles, including the edited volume *Contextualising dialogue, secularisation and pluralism. Religion in Finnish public education* (2019). Ubani serves on key Finnish educational committees such as the Evaluation Council of the Finnish Education and Evaluation Centre (2022–2026) and the Higher Education Evaluation Committee. He co-edits *Nordidactica* journal and has been a visiting researcher at the Van Leer Institute in Jerusalem since 2016. His research explores religion's role in public education, interfaith dialogue, and worldview literacy, with recent work addressing Finland's evolving religious education policies and pedagogical practices. Key publications include studies on religious literacy, teacher perceptions of 21st-century learning skills, and military chaplaincy in Finland. Ubani's interdisciplinary work bridges theology, education policy, and sociocultural analysis, emphasizing inclusive and pluralistic approaches to religious education in diverse societies.

• Political Thought
• Religious Secularisation
• Globalisation Ethics
• +3 more

Manuel Maria Urrutia Leon is a Lecturer in charge at the University of Deusto's Social Work department in Bilbao. He holds a Sociology PhD from the same institution and specializes in Political thought (particularly Unamuno), religious secularisation, and ethical challenges of globalisation. He teaches courses such as 'Estructura y cambio social' and 'Antropología Social y Cultural'. Research focuses include Spanish secularisation trends, modernity's social transformations, and contemporary societal values. He contributes to the University of Deusto Social Values Research Team. Office hours are held weekly in Room 374D/Despacho 374D, with appointments available via email.

Michael HoelzlView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Social Ethics
• Political Theology
• Philosophy of Law
• +3 more

Michael Hoelzl is a Senior Lecturer in Political Philosophy and Religion at the University of Manchester's Department of Religions and Theology. He joined the department in 2004 after studying Chemistry, Philosophy, and Theology in Salzburg, Graz, Berlin, and New York. His research focuses on Social Ethics, Political Theology, Philosophy of Law, and Political Philosophy, with an emphasis on Schmittian studies. Additional interests include theories of secularisation and the concept of 'The New Visibility of Religion' in legal, sociological, political, and popular culture contexts. He teaches undergraduate and postgraduate courses including History of Philosophy, Religion and its Critics, and Religion in Political Philosophy. Awards: Bank Austria PhD Prize (2003) He supervises BA, MA, and PhD students in areas such as Continental Philosophy of Religion, Christian Social Ethics, and Secularisation Theory.

Brian SudlowView profile

Lecturer

• Catholic Literature
• Secularisation Studies
• History of Technology
• +4 more

Brian Sudlow is a Lecturer in Politics, History and International Relations at Aston University, affiliated with the Aston Centre for Applied Linguistics (ACAL), Centre for Health and Society Research, and the Humanities Research Centre. He holds a PhD in French Studies from the University of Reading (2007) and an MA in French Studies from the University of Nottingham (2003). His research spans Catholic literature, secularisation theory, histories of technology, and oral history. Recent projects include a co-authored article on the history of 'Silicon Valley' in French media rhetoric and an oral history project on digital entrepreneurs with Professor Michael Butler. He teaches modules like 'Bombs, Bullets and Bitcoin: History of Technology' and contributes to French programmes on the Fourth Industrial Revolution and sustainable development. Education: BA in Modern Languages with Music (1999), MA (Res) in French Studies (2003, Nottingham), PhD in French Studies (2007, Reading). Professional qualifications include Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice (PGCAP). Research interests evolved from early work on French and English Catholic writers in the Belle Époque to technology history, including studies on French government forecasting and Paul Virilio’s 'desert screen' theory. Current projects include oral histories of digital innovation and collaborations with the Aston Villa Foundation. External roles: Chair of the Academic Board for the UK Defence Academy’s Quarterdeck Series, External Member of Maryvale Institute’s Academic Board, and former External Examiner for French and Translation programmes at Bath and Newcastle Universities.