Religious Literacy Leadership in Higher Education

Jennifer Mayo-Deman — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:37:34 +0000

Fully funded PhD studentship in the Department of Sociology, Goldsmiths, University of London, on the topic of ‘Prosperity Theology’.

A full ESRC funded studentship is available for 3 years for a PhD on the topic of ‘prosperity theology’ and the relationship between materiality and immateriality. The studentship provides a stipend of £13,726 p.a. plus tuition fees at the UK/EU rate for up to three years (full-time only). Due to funding restrictions, this studentship is open to UK and EU applicants only.

The studentship is part of a larger ESRC Professorial Fellowship awarded to Beverley Skeggs to study ‘A Sociology of Value and Values’. Supervision will be provided Professor Skeggs (Sociology) and Professor Adam Dinham (Professor of Faith & Public Policy and Director of the Faiths and Civil Society Unit at Goldsmiths). The starting date is 1 September 2013 and funding is for 3 years. The PhD must be completed by 31 August 2016.

Applications are invited from students of sociology, religious studies and anthropology who have an understanding of social theory and experience of empirical research and analysis. Candidates are asked to submit a 2 page proposal on how they would design and carry out, including the analysis and key sources they would use for a PhD on prosperity theology in London.

Applicants will have a good first degree in a relevant social science discipline. An MSC/MA postgraduate degree in a related field is also highly desirable. Applicants should have excellent oral and written presentation skills, experience with qualitative research methods and ability to meet deadlines. Research training will be provided by the ESRC DTC (Goldsmiths/Queen Mary).

A proposal and a CV must be submitted by Friday 21^st June to Bev Skeggs at b.skeggs@gold.ac.uk. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview, to take place soon after the closing date for applications.

Religion, Gender and Sexuality Training for Trainers

Jennifer Mayo-Deman — Thu, 09 May 2013 13:38:53 +0000

This five day Train the Trainer Workshop will run from October 27th 2013 to 1st November 2013 at the Multi-Faith Centre, Derby, UK.

It is an advanced course intended for experienced trainers in the field of anti-discrimination and diversity, which should be demonstrated for example by prior participation in the 5 day European Training in ‘Religious Diversity and Anti-Discrimination’, or similar evidence of other work in the field.

Mobility grants are available for those applying from outside the UK but the deadline for these is 30th April 2013, please visit the Grundtvig database for further details

http://ec.europa.eu/education/trainingdatabase/index.cfm?fuseaction=DisplayCourse&cid=36079

UK applicants need to email me at athealina@hotmail.com for a pre-registration form and this needs to be returned by 31st July 2013. The course fee is £600 and the accommodation and meals is also £600 for the week. Spaces are limited.

Many thanks,

Atheah Gsouma

Training Co-ordinator

Multi Faith Centre

University of Derby

Faith and Fashion – A new language for women’s interfaith dialogue

Jennifer Mayo-Deman — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 11:14:37 +0000

FAITH & FASHION.

A new language for women’s interfaith dialogue

Join us for the first of a series of events focusing on Faith and Fashion at London College of Fashion

Is fashion changing faith or is faith changing fashion?

When so many young women from religious communities are passionate about fashion why are so few of them training in fashion and art and design?

Tuesday 5th March 2013

18:00-19:00, followed by a reception
London College of Fashion
20 John Prince’s Street
London, W1G 0BJ

RSVP Essential: rhs@fashion.arts.ac.uk

Our expert panel explores why and how fashion has become central to the expression of personal faith, spirituality, and ethics for women from many different faiths and for women who see themselves as secular. Served by a growing modest fashion sector and an international modest fashion blogosphere, women from different faith communities are crossing boundaries and talking to each other about what they wear and why they wear it. This shared dialogue crosses commerce and commentary with women taking a lead in the creation of new relationships between faiths and between religious and secular societies. Progressive organisations that work with women and girls have been quick to respond to this interest in the spiritual and moral dimensions of clothing in relation to faith and ethnicity with innovative projects on fashion and design. Turning this enthusiasm into career opportunities is the job of fashion education, working with students, schools, and communities to demonstrate that design initiative can go hand in hand with personal and spiritual integrity.

To celebrate International Women’s Day, LCF’s Professor Reina Lewis will be joined by:

Debbie Danon, of the Three Faiths Forum. 3FF builds understanding and lasting relationships between people of all faiths and beliefs. The organisation runs education, engagement and action programmes that bring diverse communities together in the UK and internationally to create new models for intercultural cooperation, particularly in the EU, USA and Middle East. 3FF works with teachers, students and young professionals, faith organisations, artists and galleries, political leaders in Parliament and upcoming leaders still at university.

Janet Adler, of Women’s Interfaith Network. Formed in 2003 in the wake of the attacks of September 11th 2001, which highlighted as never before the hostility that can exist between people of different faiths and cultures, WIN’s mission is to work with women from diverse faiths and cultures to enable them to play an active role in breaking down prejudices and barriers.

Barjis Chohan, designer and entrepreneur. Trained at the London College of Fashion and Central Saint Martin’s, Barjis Chohan gained experience working for Vivienne Westwood and in French couture before building a career in textiles and interior design in Britain and the Middle East. Her fashion collection, Barjis, launched at Dubai Fashion Week in 2011, offers ready to wear modest clothes for modern professional women and has gained Muslim and non-Muslim customers in Britain, the Gulf and internationally who appreciate her vision of everyday understated luxury.

FbRN Conference date confirmed

Jennifer Mayo-Deman — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 11:54:30 +0000

FbRN National Conference

Facing the Challenges, Looking for Opportunities

Innovation, Networking, Policy, Practice, Research, Skills

18 March 2013

Birmingham (5 mins from stations)

full details in next week’s bulletin

Faith Based Regeneration Network UK

308 Kennington Lane

London, England SE11 5HY

United Kingdom

http://www.fbrn.org.uk/

Blog with presentations for our Religious Diversity Debate – The Open University in London – 10th January 2013

Jennifer Mayo-Deman — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 10:17:24 +0000

Dear Friends,

Please see our blog entry for our recent religious diversity debate, including copies of the presentations given by the speakers: www.open.ac.uk/blogs/boh/?p=439

This preliminary report will soon be accompanied by further reflections from our team, and I will keep you posted of such developments. We would also very much welcome your comments on the themes and issues raised.

Dr Gavin Moorhead

Research Associate – Building on History: Religion in London

www.open.ac.uk/buildingonhistory

Department of Religious Studies, The Open University

1-11 Hawley Crescent
Camden Town
London
NW1 8NP

Office: 020 3076 0246

Mobile: 07748 021393

Email: gavin.moorhead@open.ac.uk

TAKING PART: Muslim Participation in Governance – Report Launch

Jennifer Mayo-Deman — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 10:36:29 +0000

TAKING PART: Muslim Participation in Governance – Report Launch

31 January 2013, 7:00 – 8:30 pm, Bishopsgate Institute, London

- Launch of the final report from the large 30-month study of Muslim Participation in Contemporary Governance at Bristol University led by Dr Therese O’Toole and Professor Tariq Modood.

- Research findings and public policy insights on issues such as Muslim-government relations, integration, equality, participatory democracy, and countering extremism.

- Panel discussion with Dilwar Hussain, Humera Khan, and Professor Maleiha Malik.

For more details see http://www.bris.ac.uk/ethnicity/takingpart.pdf (650kb).

Registration required at http://takingpart.eventbrite.co.uk.

* Conference postponed *

Matthew Francis — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 14:44:20 +0000

To the Academy and beyond: religious literacy in contemporary society

Religious Literacy Leadership Programme

We are sorry to announce that the free one-day international conference scheduled for January 22nd has been postponed.

Two of our three keynote speakers have had to withdraw – one because of illness and another because of an unexpected and inescapable commitment within his own organisation. We have therefore taken the decision that it would be better to reschedule the conference with the same speakers and workshops later in the year, rather than try to find similar calibre speakers in the short space of time available.

We are very sorry to have to do this, as we were looking forward very much to an exciting and productive day. We had a large number of people register and hope that you will be able to join us for the rescheduled date – watch this space for more information.

If you would like further information please contact us.

Call for Papers: Religion and the Idea of a University

Jennifer Mayo-Deman — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 14:12:16 +0000

ESSAY PRIZE

and

CALL FOR PAPERS

Religion and the Idea of a University

The Cambridge Inter-faith Programme, as part of its ‘Religion and the Idea of a University’ project, is hosting an inter-disciplinary conference on the relation between the modern western university and theology or religion, 3–5 April 2013. For the Call for Papers and Registration, see www.ideaofauniversity.com/conference/

We are also running an essay prize. Win £200 for a 1,000 word essay on same theme as above. Closing date 31 January 2013. For details see www.ideaofauniversity.com/events/2012/jun/6/2012-idea-university-essay-prize/

For more information about the project, see www.ideaofauniversity.com

Joy Haughton

Administrator

Cambridge Inter-Faith Programme

(Religion and the Idea of a Research University Project)

Faculty of Divinity

University of Cambridge

c/o 12 Grange Road

Cambridge CB3 9DU

jh343@cam.ac.uk

+44 (0)1223 742016

www.ideaofauniversity.com

Learner Views on Religion & Belief in FE – New Research Published by Skills Funding Agency

Jennifer Mayo-Deman — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 14:18:24 +0000

Earlier this year, Hertfordshire Adult and Family Learning Service asked learners to participate in a national online survey about the views and experiences of adult learners on religion and belief within the FE learning environment. The findings of that research (based on more than 1,100 survey responses, as well as in-depth telephone interviews and focus groups) have been published by the Skills Funding Agency this week.

Findings can be found at the following link: http://readingroom.lsc.gov.uk/SFA/Religion_and_Belief_report.pdf

There are both positive and negative messages for the sector.

Most learners with and without a religion/ belief described adult learning as “welcoming”, however, 11% had experienced bullying or harassment due to their beliefs.

Recommendations include:
• greater demonstration on how bullying and harassment will not be tolerated
• the promotion of equality should include non-religious beliefs
• the monitoring of learners’ beliefs requires sensitive consultation.

The Skills Funding Agency is planning to hold seminars in early 2013 to share and discuss the findings.
If you would like to be involved, please contact equality@skillsfundingagency.bis.gov.uk

Is there room for religion at UAL?

Matthew Francis — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 15:33:28 +0000

UAL – Room for religion event

Matthew spoke yesterday at an event at the University of the Arts London, about a role for religion within the university. The event was attended by about 40 staff and students from across the university and included a lively and fun exchange of ideas and views. The following is from the advert for the day:

This event aims to stimulate debate about the different positions people might take to religion and belief at the University and how these positions inform our work.

Drawing on a model developed by the Religious Literacy Leadership in Higher Education Programme, participants will be invited to reflect on the question “Is there room for religion at UAL?” exploring the following themes:

Room to debate the role of religious faith, identity and secular traditions within Higher Education.
Academic and creative room within pedagogies of art, design and communications.
Physical room in the form of quiet spaces and meeting places.
We are keen to attract participants from diverse religious or faith backgrounds as well as those who view the University as a secular environment or who do not identify with a particular faith group.

This event is part of the UAL Equality and Diversity Forum series.

Speakers
We are delighted to confirm the following speakers:

Professor Reina Lewis Artscom Centenary Professor of Cultural Studies, London College of Fashion.

Matthew Francis Programme Manager and Research Associate for the Religious Literacy Leadership in Higher Education programme.

Quiz hosted by Yara El Sherbini.
4 – 5pm, Student Union Blueprint Cafe. Open to students and staff.

The event will end with a live art work hosted by artist Yara El Sherbini. Join the quiz-mistress, test your knowledge and win prizes in this entertaining and irreverent quiz, which playfully explores art, faith, and possibly a Muller Fruit Corner. Free snacks and drinks provided.

Yara El-Sherbini is a multi-disciplinary artist, whose playful practise explores knowledge production. Earlier this year Yara was artist in residence at Hayward Gallery as part of the Wide Open School exhibition, creating a project titled ‘How to stop being friends with someone you no longer have anything in common with’.

To find out more about Yara, please visit: http://www.yaraelsherbini.com

To find out more, please contact William Whitcombe on W.Whitcombe@arts.ac.uk