Steven Sutcliffe

Dr. Steven Sutcliffe is a Senior Lecturer in the Study of Religion at the University of Edinburgh’s School of Divinity. He holds a BA in Russian Language and Literature from the University of London, an MPhil in Religious Studies from Stirling University, and a PhD in Religious Studies from The Open University. Before joining the University of Edinburgh in 2005, he taught at the Universities of Stirling and Sunderland. He served as President of the British Association for the Study of Religions from 2015 to 2018 and organized its 2021 annual conference in Edinburgh.

**Education:**

• BA in Russian Language and Literature, University of London
• MPhil in Religious Studies, Stirling University
• PhD in Religious Studies, The Open University

**Research Interests:**

Steven Sutcliffe’s research focuses on new forms of religion and spirituality from historical, sociological, and ethnographic perspectives. He examines contemporary spiritualities such as New Age and holistic movements, as well as theoretical frameworks in Religious Studies. His current research explores early- to mid-20th century movements like the life reform and natural health movement and the teachings of G. I. Gurdjieff. He also investigates the social and cultural history of Religious Studies since the 1960s, including debates over the definition of “religion.”

**Professional Affiliations and Roles:**

• Member of the editorial boards of Religion, Culture and Religion, and e-Rhizome: Journal for the Study of Religion, Society, Culture and Cognition
• Member of the editorial board for the Bloomsbury ‘Advances in Religious Studies’ series since 2012

**Teaching:**

He teaches courses on New Age spiritualities, holistic practices, and Theories of Religion.