At undergraduate level I gained a BA (Hons) in History and a Diploma in International Development and the Environment. I completed my MA in the religion and public life strand of Theology and Religious Studies in 2012. My PhD at the University of Leeds looked at support for Fair Trade carried out by churchgoers, examining both the nature of the activity and the ways in which it is linked with their faith. I adopted an interdisciplinary approach, drawing on theology, the social sciences and philosophy/ethics. My doctorate was awarded in 2017, when I went on to teach at the Lifelong Learning Centre at the University of Leeds, lecturing on religion from an interdisciplinary perspective for the Foundation Year and tutoring in Professional Studies. In 2019 I was appointed to the role of lecturer at York St John. In 2021 I became the Course Lead for the Religion BA and MA courses. In my teaching and research, I continue to explore the interface between religion and public life through the medium of multiple academic disciplines and methodologies. I currently supervise seven doctoral candidates and I am interested in supervising postgraduate theses in the following areas:
- Public theology
- Theology/religion and the environment
- Religion and social action
- Religion and international development
- Religion and globalisation
As Course Lead for Religion, I play a coordinating role for the teaching on the following degrees:
- Religion, Philosophy and Ethics BA
- Religion and Theology BA
- History and Religion BA
- English Literature and Religion BA
- Religion MA
I have held the role of Module Leader for the undergraduate modules:
- Foundations of Christian Theology
- New Testament Studies
- Philosophy and Religion
- Religion and Human Diversity
- Religion in the Public Sphere
- The Story of the Bible
- Theology: Action and Reflection
- Values and Virtues: Ethics and Religion
- World Christianity
And for the taught Masters modules:
- Environmental Humanities (for the Environment and Social Justice MA)
- Religion and Public Life
- The Changing Face of Religion in Society
I also coordinate the research modules for Religion at BA and MA, including dissertations and negotiated studies.
I have designed and implemented the new undergraduate modules
- Theology and the Environment
- Spirituality and Public Life
I led on the validation of the new Religion MA, which is currently recruiting for the academic year 2026-7.
I have written a number of academic journal articles on church action for Fair Trade. The most recent focussed on Fair Trade and sustainable development. This specific examination can be utilised to shed light on wider issues for religion in public life. As a public theologian, I am interested in exploring the changing nature of public debate and the ways in which religious voices can be heard in a society dominated by social media and populist outlooks.
Through my research career I have gained extensive experience of qualitative research, particularly semi-structured interviews.
Recent research has included a project examining Fair Trade as means to bring together different religious communities, focussing on the super-diverse town of Luton. I have also examined the ways in which Fair Trade Towns interact with partners, particularly environmental groups, in a project which included five Fair Trade Town Groups in rural Yorkshire.
My next project will investigate how members of Church of England clergy navigate populist attitudes towards immigration and refugees and asylum seekers.
Recent publications
- I am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and I also hold an ULTA-1 teaching qualification from the University of Leeds and a PGCE from the University of Oxford.
- I am an active member of the York St John University Centre for Religion in Society and serve on the steering committee for the Ebor Lectures.
- Member of the Fair Trade Society and the Journal of Fair Trade.
- I have led a series of workshops, based on my research, for the Fairtrade Foundation and Fairtrade Yorkshire.
- Given talks and participated in panel debates at York St John University, the University of York and the University of Leeds. Events include the York Festival of Ideas and the IEPAS conference on Eurasia.
- I have also given presentations about my research to many organisations and faith communities across the UK.
Professional roles
I have worked in local government, retail management and as a TEFL teacher. In academia, I have tutored for the School of Philosophy, Religion and the History of Science at the University of Leeds and have taken on the role of Writing Mentor and Research Support Intern, which included the organisation of conferences and research seminars. I have also served as tutor at the Lifelong Learning Centre for the University of Leeds and at the University of Chester.
Voluntary roles
- Chair of the National Campaigner Committee of the Fairtrade Foundation (2019 – 2021)
- Member of the Audit Panel for the Shared Interest Social Accounts (2017 – 2018)
- Coordinator Fairtrade Yorkshire (2010 – 2019)
- Activist representative on the Oxfam Climate Change Equation (2009 – 2011)
- Member of the Association of Oxfam [part of the governing body of Oxfam GB] (2007 – 2013)
