My background is in Women's Studies, focusing on feminist theory and religion. Having obtained my PhD from Centre for Women's Studies at the University of York, I began teaching on various MA and BA programmes at both the University of York and at York St John. I began my career at York St John in earnest as a researcher working within the Religion and Philosophy department, where I now teach full time. Over the last few years my research has included collaborate work with Helen Turner (Associate Head, Art) in which we have brought music, performance and ideas around implicit religion together.
I currently teach on the following modules:
- Religion, Gender and Sexuality
- Studying Religion
- Sociology of Religion
- Religion and Politics
- Foundations of Theology
- Work Related Learning
I also supervise postgraduate students and am interested in the supervision of doctorates related to religion, gender and class, particularly using qualitative methods.
My PhD research focused on the experience of women priests in the Church of England and the ways in which they negotiate their belonging. As a feminist researcher, I am interested in the spiritualities of women, particularly when the masculinised symbol system of monotheism is challenged. This has led to externally funded research projects with clergy and lay women, focusing on class and gender.
I have an ongoing research interest in how goddess spirituality is connected to feminism and activism and how women express notions of the feminine divine. I am also in a long-term collaboration with Helen Turner (Associate Head, Art) exploring how audience participation is connected to implicit religion and the meaning-making of performance as a ritual.
Recent publications
I am the Chair of the ethics panel for Humanities and the departmental lead for REF. I am a member of the British Sociological Association, SOCREL, and the Society for the Study of Religion.
