Joshua Rushton

Joshua Rushton is a Lecturer in Early Modern History at the University of Manchester's History Department, affiliated with the School of Arts, Languages, and Cultures. He holds a PhD from the University of Leeds (2023) and previously conducted research at the University of Warwick and as a Visiting Research Fellow at Leeds. His work focuses on early modern religious life, particularly Catholicism in Italy, exploring themes such as urban devotional practices, environmental humanities, and the European Reformations. He has been awarded a Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship (2026–2029) for a project on 'Catholic Renewal and Environmental Change in the Early Modern World'.

Education: BA in History (Warwick), MA in Renaissance Studies (Warwick), PhD (Leeds, 2023). Research interests include the intersection of religious change, environmental shifts, and cultural dynamics, with a focus on sacred spaces, miracle narratives, and Counter-Reformation practices. Teaching involves primary source engagement across undergraduate and postgraduate modules, including 'History in Practice' and 'Critical Ecologies'.

His recent publications analyze shrine formation, post-Tridentine spirituality, and pilgrimage history, contributing to debates in cultural and social history. Leverhulme Fellowship research will bridge religious renewal and environmental history, reflecting his commitment to interdisciplinary approaches.