Chris Shannahan

Chris Shannahan is an Associate Professor in Political Theology at Coventry University's Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations. Previously, he held roles as a Methodist Minister, youth worker, and educator. His research focuses on urban theology, poverty, and liberation theology, informed by grassroots activism. He leads the ESRC-funded 'Life on the Breadline' project analyzing Christian responses to UK poverty post-2008 austerity. His work includes monographs like Voices from the Borderland and A Theology of Community Organizing, and he advises on social cohesion via initiatives like Schools Linking.

• Education: PhD in Cross Cultural Urban Theology (University of Birmingham, 2008), Postgraduate BD (University of Birmingham, 1992), Religion and Sociology (Goldsmiths, 1984).

Research Interests: Political Theology, Theology and Poverty, Liberation Theology, Urban Theology, Hip-Hop culture, and Faith-based Peacebuilding. His projects explore poverty's intersection with race, inequality, and faith activism. Recent work critiques austerity's impact on marginalized communities through ethnographic studies and policy engagement.

Advising/Grants: Supervised 13 PhDs, led a £591k ESRC grant, and contributed to policy briefings. External roles include editorial board memberships and peer reviewing for Routledge and academic journals.

Labs/Teams: Principal Investigator for 'Life on the Breadline' and collaborator with The Linking Network on social cohesion initiatives.