Dr. Richard Gauvain is a Lecturer at the University of Chester's Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences , based in the Humanities, Cultures and Environment department. He holds a Ph.D. in Theology and Religious Studies from the University of Glasgow (2002) with specialization in Islamic Studies. His academic career spans universities in the Middle East, Europe, and the UK, encompassing diverse teaching roles in Religious Studies, History, Political Science, and Middle East Studies. Dr. Gauvain's research focuses on Islamic law , Salafism , ritual theory , and Anglican studies , particularly in Middle Eastern contexts. Notable themes include Salafi ritual practices in Egypt, the socio-political dynamics of Islamic reform movements, and the interplay between tradition and modernity in religious discourse. Recent work examines Egyptian Anglican Orthodoxy and UAE national identity narratives . His publications span International Journal for the Study of the Christian Church , Oxford Handbook of Ritual and Worship , and Routledge Handbook of Islamic Ritual , reflecting interdisciplinary engagement with anthropology, theology, and political science. No scientific awards are explicitly mentioned, but his extensive fieldwork and ethnographic contributions highlight scholarly rigor. Teaching expertise includes research methods and theory across undergraduate and graduate levels. His academic language proficiency includes Arabic (fluent) and Spanish (academic competence).
