Professor Pauline Kollontai

Teaching

My primary teaching areas are religion in a global context, religion and human rights, religion and democracy, and religion, violence, and peace. I have supervised several MRes and PhD students and examined masters and doctoral theses.

I teach on the following modules:

• Religion and Globalisation
• Religion and Peacebuilding
• Religion, Peace, and Conflict
• Religion and Politics

Research

My primary research interests are religion in global context, religion, violence, and peace, and religion, politics and democracy. Overall, I am concerned with religion as a source of either cohesion or division in social contexts. My research spans a range of disciplines, particularly those of theology and religious studies, politics and peace studies. My research normally involves both book-based and field research and working with a range of actors including practitioners, policy makers and religious leaders in various international contexts.

My recent research activities include a co-authored book with with Professor Friedrich Lohman (Bundeswehr University, Munich) on religion and human rights, published by Routledge (2023); a co-authored of book with Professor Christine Schliesser (University of Fribourg) and Dr Ayse Kadayifci-Orellana, (Georgetown University Washington D.C.) on religion in conflict and conflict resolution, (Routledge, 2020). and a edited book with Professor Zhibin Xie, (University of Shanghai, China) and Professor Sebastian Kim (Fuller Theological Seminary, USA) on 'Human Dignity, Human Rights, and Social Justice: A Chinese Interdisciplinary Dialogue with Global Perspective', (Springer International, 2019). Currently, I'm working on a co-authored book project looking at religion and populism in the UK, Turkey and Israel.

Publications

Books

Kollontai, P.C.H., and Yore, S., (eds). (2024) Religion in Diverse Societies: Crossing the Boundaries of Prejudice and Distrust, London and New York: Routledge.

Kollontai, P. C. H., and Lohmann, F. (2023) On the Significance of Religion for Human Rights, London and New York: Routledge.

Schliesser, C., Kollontai, P.C.H.   and Kadayifci-Orellana, A. S.  (2021) Religion Matters: On the Significance of Religion in Conflict and Conflict Resolution, London and New York: Routledge. 

Xie, Z., Kollontai, P.C.H. & Kim, S.  (eds) (2020) Human Dignity, Human Rights, and Social Justice: A Chinese Interdisciplinary Dialogue with Global Perspective, Hong Kong: Springer International.

Kollontai, P.C. H., Yore, S., and Kim, S.C.H (eds) (2018) The Role of Religion in Peacebuilding: Crossing Boundaries of Prejudice and Distrust, London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Kim, S.C.H., Kollontai, P.C.H. and Yore, S. (eds) (2015) Mediating Peace: Reconciliation Through Art, Music and Film, Cambridge, Cambridge Scholars Press.

Kollontai, P.C.H. & Nesfield, V. (eds) (2012) Building Communities of Reconciliation Volume III, Seoul, South Korea, Nanumsa Publications.

Kollontai, P.C.H. & Noake, R. (eds) (2012) Religion Creating Cultures of Peace, Vol II, Seoul, South Korea, Nanumsa Publications.

Kim, S.C.H., Kollontai, P.C.H. and Hoyland, G (eds) (2008) Peace and Reconciliation: In Search of Shared Identity, Ashgate, Aldershot.

Kim, S.C.H. and Kollontai, P.C.H. (eds) (2007) Community Identity: Dynamics of Religion in Context, T&T Clark, London.

Articles and Chapters

Kollontai, P.C.H. (2024) ‘Challenging the Religious Political Discourse and Practice of Racism in Israel’, in Kollontai, P.C.H., and Yore, S., (eds). Religion in Diverse Societies: Crossing the Boundaries of Prejudice and Distrust, London and New York: Routledge

Kollontai, P.C.H. (2023), ‘A Jewish Perspective on Democracy and Minority Rights in Israel’, in Christine Schliesser, (ed), On the Significance of Religion for the SDGs: An Introduction, London and New York: Routledge.

Kollontai, P.C.H.  (2020) ‘On Human Dignity and Rights: The Dialectics of Religious and Secular Law in Israel. In Z. Xie, P.C.H. Kollontai & S. Kim (eds) Human Dignity, Human Rights, and Social Justice: A Chinese Interdisciplinary Dialogue with Global Perspective, Hong Kong: Springer International.

Kollontai, P.C.H. (2019) ‘Promoting the ‘Peaceable Garden Culture of Religion’: The Challenges of Growing Inclusive and Just Community from the Perspective of Theology and Religious Studies’, in Jansen, B. Rethinking Community Through Transdisciplinary Research, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

Kollontai, P.C.H. (2018) 'Biblical Jewish Values on Care of the Stranger and Neighbour: Israel and the Bedouin of the Negev' in Kollontai, P. C. H., Yore, S, & Kim S. C. H (eds) The Role of Religion in Peacebuilding: Crossing the Boundaries of Prejudice and Distrust, London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Kollontai, P.C.H. (2017) ‘Who is My Neighbour: The Laïcité-Islam Encounter in France’, in Kim D. (ed) Religious Encounter in Society, New York, Lexington Books.

Kollontai, P.C.H (2015) ‘Inter-Religious Work for Peace through Globalized Transnational Civil Society,’ in Haynes, J. (ed) Nations Under God: Religion and Geopolitics, London, E-IR Publications.

Kollontai, P.C.H. (2015) ‘Art in a Theological and Philosophical Discussion on Theodicy and Moral Evil,’ in Kim, S.C.H., Kollontai, P.C.H. and Yore, S. (eds) Mediating Peace: Reconciliation Through Art, Music and Film, Cambridge, Cambridge Scholars Press.

Kollontai, P.C.H. (2015) ‘Story Telling in Religious Education: Promoting Respect and Empathy in Diverse Communities’, in Gross, Z. & Davies L. (eds), The Contested Role of Education in Conflict and Fragility, Rotterdam, SENSE Publications. 

Kollontai, P.C.H. (2015) 'Emotional Intelligence in Higher Education: Using Art in a Philosophical Discussion on God, Evil and Suffering', Journal of Research in Education, 93:1, pp. 66-76.

Kollontai, P.C.H. (2014) 'Coming to the Edge and Reaching Over: Women and Muslim-Christian Dialogue’, in Khadar, J. & Twal, I. Religion and Society: From Theocracy to Secularism and in Between, Bethlehem, University of Bethlehem Publications.

Kollontai, P.C.H. (2014) ‘Finding a Way Forward Together: Religion and Cosmopolitanism in Bosnia-Herzegovina’ in Rovisco, M & Kim S. C. H. Religion, Cosmopolitanism and Public Life, London, Routledge.

Kollontai, P.C.H. (2014) ‘Adopting a Peace Education Approach in Schools: Perspectives from Bosnia-Herzegovina’ in Buchanan, M.T. (ed), Leadership and Religious Schools: International Perspectives and Challenges, London, Bloomsbury Academic Press.

Kollontai, P.C.H. (2012) ‘Faith and Feminism: Bosnian Women Challenging Religious Boundaries’ in Noake, R. & Kollontai, P. Religion Creating Cultures of Peace, Vol II, Seoul, South Korea, Nanumsa Publications.

Kollontai, P. C. H. (2010) ‘Healing the Heart in Bosnia-Herzegovina: Arts, Children and Peace-making’, International Journal of Children’s Spirituality, 15:3.

Kollontai, P. C. H. (2009) ‘Women as Leaders: Contemporary Perspectives on the Roles of Women in Messianic Judaism’, Women in Judaism: A Multi-disciplinary Journal, 6:1.

Kollontai, P. C. H. (2008) Theoretical Perspectives on Religion as a Tool for Waging Peace in Society, Centre for International Programmes, Guest Lecture Series Papers, Meiji University, Tokyo.

Kollontai, P. C. H. (2008) ‘Religion as a Tool for Waging Peace: Theoretical Perspectives in the Context of Bosnia-Herzegovina’, Kim, S.C.H., Kollontai, P.C.H. and Hoyland, G (eds) Peace and Reconciliation: In Search of Shared Identity, Ashgate, Aldershot.

Kollontai, P. C. H. (2007) ‘Transplanting Religion: Defining Community and Expressing Identity’, Kim, S. C. H. and Kollontai, P.C.H. (eds) Community Identity: Dynamics of Religion in Context, T&T Clark, London.

Kollontai, P. C. H. (2006) ‘Between Judaism and Christianity: The Case of Messianic Jews’, Journal of Religion and Society, 8.

Kollontai, P. C. H. (2004) ‘Messianic Jews and Jewish Identity’, Journal of Modern Jewish Studies, 3:2.

Kollontai, P. C. H. (2003) ‘The Sacred Icon in the Contemporary World’, The Expository Times, 114:11.

Kollontai, P. C. H. (2003) ‘A Jewish Look at Paul's Teaching on the Law’ The New Theologian’ 14: 1.

Kollontai, P. C. H. ‘Theodicy in a Post-Holocaust World: The Work of Dorothee Solle’, in Theology, 105, Autumn 2002.

Kollontai, P. C. H.  (2000) ‘Contemporary Thinking on the Role and Ministry of Women in the Orthodox Church’, Journal of Contemporary Religion, 15:2.

Kollontai, P. C. H. (1999) ‘Connecting a University with its Local Muslim Community’, Widening Participation and Lifelong Learning, The Journal of the Institute for Access Studies and The European Access Network, 1:3.

Kollontai, P.C.H. and Fraser, L. (1997) ‘Social Class and Widening Participation’, Conference Proceedings, University College Dublin.

Kollontai, P.C.H. and Fraser, L. (1996) ‘Widening Participation, Ethnicity and Gender Issues’, Conference Proceedings, University of Gloucester.

Kollontai, P.C.H. (1993) Will the Right to Asylum Survive? Britain’s Policy of Self-Interest and Narrow Nationalism, Theology and Society Research Unit Occasional Paper Series, No. 11, Bradford: University of Bradford publications.

Kollontai, P.C.H. (1994) Religion and National Identity, Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution, Occasional Paper, No 63,  Skopje: University of Skopje publications.

Kollontai, P.C.H. (1993) A Voice Crying in the Wilderness: Biblical Teachings on Peace and Justice, Theology and Society Research Unit Occasional Paper Series, No. 8, Bradford: University of Bradford publications.

Media and Blog Outputs

Kollontai, Pauline. (2024) ‘The Bloom Review One Year On: Multi-Faith Perspectives’,  The Methodist Recorder, July 19, 2024.

Selected Conference Papers and Research Presentations

Kollontai, P.C.H. (2024) ‘Challenging the Religious Political Discourse and Practice of Racism in Israel’, York Festival Ideas, Seminar on  Religions Role in Shaping Diverse Societies, York St John University, June 6, 2024.

Kollontai, P.C.H. (2024) ‘Repentance and Repair: Overcoming the Religious Political Agenda of Racism in Israel’, Wesley House College, Cambridge, Research Seminar Series, May 2, 2024. 

Kollontai, P.C.H. (2024) ‘Reflections on the Bloom Report’, Conference on Does Government ‘Do God’? hosted by The Centre for Faith in Public Life, Wesley House College and The Woolf Institute, Cambridge, May 1, 2024.

Kollontai, P.C.H. (2023) ‘Religion and Human Rights in Israel’, webinar hosted by Religions for Peace, New York, October 12, 2023.

Kollontai, P.C.H. (2023) ‘Childlessness and Fertility in Traditional Judaism: Religious and Political Realities in Israel’, GNPT 2023 Research Series Forum, online, March 13, 2023.

Kollontai, P. C. H. (2022) ‘Counteracting Jewish Religious Exclusionist Theology and Religious Nationalism in the Struggle Against Racism and Violence in Israel’, 6th Global Network for Public Theology Consultation, Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná, Curitiba, October 2022.

Kollontai, P.C.H. (2022) ‘The Praxis of Hospitality in Contemporary Contexts: A Jewish Perspective’  6th Global Network for Public Theology Consultation, Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná, Curitiba, October 2022.

Kollontai, P. C. H. (2022) ‘Israel’s Geopolitical Response to Russia's Invasion of Ukraine’, International Eurasia Conference, York St John University, July 2022. 

Kollontai, P. C. H. (2022) ‘Religion Challenging Jewish Religious Extremist Violence in Israel’, European Academy of Religion, University of Bologna, June 2022.

Kollontai P.C.H. (2022) ‘Judaism and Democracy in Israel: An Exploration with a Focus on Minority Rights’ Institute for Social Ethics Seminar, April 2022, University of Zurich.

Kollontai, P. C. H. with Kadayifci-Orellana, A. S & Hodge, J. (2022) ‘Faith Matters: Lessons of solidarity and transformation in faith-led action and multifaith collaboration in Israel, Pakistan and East Timor’, PEACECON Conference, Washington D.C., January 2022. 

Kollontai, P. C. H. with Schliesser, C. & Kadayifci-Orellana, A. S. (2021) ‘Religion Matters: A Conversation on Religion and the UN Sustainable Development Goals’, On-line Seminar organised and hosted by Berkley Centre for Religion, Peace and World Affairs, Georgetown University, Washington D. C., July 2021.  

Kollontai, P.C.H., with Schliesser, C. & Kadayifci-Orellana, A. S. (2021) ‘On the Significance of Religion in Conflict and Conflict Resolution in Israel, Rwanda and Pakistan’, Panel discussion, webinar organised and hosted by Religions, Humanitarianism, and Development Research Reading Group. Joint Learning Initiative on Faith and Local Communities, Washington D.C. June 2021.

Kollontai, P. C. H. ‘Judaism and Democracy in Israel: An exploration with a Focus on Minority Rights’, Guest Speaker, Institute for Social Ethics, University of Zurich, May 2021.

Kollontai, P.C.H., with Schliesser, C. & Kadayifci-Orellana, A. S. (2021) ‘On the Significance of Religion in Conflict and Conflict Resolution,’ The UNESCO Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, webinar organised and hosted by University of Innsbruck, March 2021.

Kollontai, P.C.H., with Schliesser, C. & Kadayifci-Orellana, A. S. (2020) ‘On the Significance of Religion in Conflict and Conflict Resolution in Israel, Rwanda and Pakistan’, Panel discussion, organised and hosted by Dublin Central University, Centre for Religion, Human Values, and International Relations & Institute for International Conflict Resolution and Reconstruction, Dublin, October 2020.

Kollontai, P.C.H., with Schliesser, C. & Kadayifci-Orellana, A. S. (2020) ‘Religion and the 16th United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: Building Just, Peaceful and Inclusive Societies’ webinar organised and hosted by the Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University, Washington D.C., September 2020.

Kollontai, P.C.H. (2019) ‘Contesting the Idea of a Jewish-Democratic State in the 
Context of Violence Towards the Other’, Symposium on Religion and Violence, Centre of Theological Inquiry and Department of Religion, Princeton, May 2019.

Kollontai, P.C.H. (2019) ‘An Examination of the Concepts of Religion and Violence in a Jewish-Democratic State’, Symposium on Religion and Violence, Centre of Theological Inquiry, Princeton, March 2019

Kollontai, P. C. H. (2017) 'On Human Dignity and Rights: The Dialectics of Religious and Secular Law in Israel', International Symposium on Dignity, Morality and Rights-talk: An Integration of Christian Theology and Western-Chinese Cross-cultural Dialogue, ISCS, Hong Kong, November 2017.

Kollontai, P.C.H. (2017) 'Promoting the Peaceable Garden Culture of Religion: The Dynamics of Overcoming Dystopia and the Building of Inclusive and Just Community,’ International Inter-disciplinary conference on Rethinking Community, Technische Universitat, Dresden, October 2017.

Kollontai, P. C. H.  (2017) 'Religion Promoting Communities of Peace and Security', International Conference on Peace and Sustainable Development, Mount Kenya University, Nairobi, May 2017.

Kollontai, P.C.H. (2017) ‘Critical Reflections on the Hunger Games Trilogy from Israel and Palestine’ Speculative Futures Conference, York St John University, York. May 2017.

Kollontai, P.C.H. (2017) ‘Jews, Palestinians and Bedouin: Land Rights in the Context of Jewish Teachings,’ U3A Symposium, York, February 2017.

Kollontai, P.C.H. (2015) ‘Who is My Neighbour: The Laïcité-Islam Encounter in France’, 5th International Conference on Peace and Reconciliation, York St John University, York, June 2015. 

Kollontai, P. C. H. (2015) ‘Religion, Democracy and Laïcité: Unequal Partners in the Land of Liberty and Equality?’ 2nd Consultation, York St John University and Kaye Academic College of Education, on Multiculturalism, Kaye Academic College of Education, Israel, May 2015.

Selected Conference Papers and Research Presentations, continued

Kollontai, P.C.H.  (2014) ‘Interreligious Initiatives for Peace in Global Society’, EPSA, London, November 2014.

Kollontai, P.C.H. (2014) ‘Gender Perspectives in Religious-based Peacebuilding: Women Building Peace and Reconciliation in Post-Conflict Bosnia-Herzegovina’, 25th Conference of International Peace Research Association, Istanbul, August 2014.

Kollontai, P.C.H. (2014) ‘Exploring Models of Religious Education in the Search for Building Values of Mutual Understanding, Empathy and Critical Dialogue:
 Perspectives from Bosnia-Herzegovina’, ISREV, York St John University, York, August 2014.

Kollontai, P.C.H. (2014) ‘Story Telling in Religious Education: Promoting Respect and Empathy in Diverse Communities’, International Peace Conference, Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, June 2014.

Kollontai, P.C.H. (2014) ‘Religions for Peace and Globalized Transnational Civil Society’, Global Studies Association UK, York St John University, York, June 2014.

Kollontai, P.C.H. (2013) 'Coming to the Edge and Reaching Over: Women and Muslim-Christian Dialogue’, International Conference on Muslim-Christian Dialogue, University of Bethlehem, Palestinian Territories, October 2013.

Kollontai, P.C.H. (2013) 'Islamic Revivalism and the Media in Bosnia-Herzegovina',  3rd Global Network of Public Theology Conference, University of Chester, September 2013.

Kollontai, P.C.H.  (2013) ‘Peace Education in Bosnia-Herzegovina’, EASRE Conference, York St John University, York, July 2013.

Kollontai, P.C.H. (2013) ‘The Life and Teaching of Abraham Joshua Heschel: Promoting Respect and Empathetic Understanding’, 1st Joint Consultation, York St John University and Kaye Academic College of Education, on Multiculturalism, York St John University, York, June 2013.

Kollontai, P.C.H. (2013) ‘Dynamics of Religious Fundamentalisms in Political Context’, CAPSS, Beijing, January 2013.

Kollontai, P.C.H. (2012) ‘Korean Children's Voices: Expressing a Theology of Peace and Unification through the Kid's Guernica International Peace Mural Project’, 4th International Conference on Peace and Reconciliation, Hebrew University Jerusalem, November 2012.

Kollontai, P.C.H., (2012) 'Emotional Intelligence in Higher Education: Using Art in a Philosophical Discussion on God, Evil and Suffering', Arts of Peace-building Workshop Series: Exploring Religious Dimensions, University of Edinburgh, November 2012.  

Kollontai, P.C.H. (2012) ‘The Role of Art in Social Transformation: Opening the Mind and Healing the Heart’, Presbyterian College and Theological Seminary, Seoul, South Korea, September 2012.

Kollontai, P.C.H., (2012) ’Implementing UNSCR 1325 through Feminism and Faith: Women Building Peace and Reconciliation in Post-Conflict Bosnian-Herzegovina’, Second International Conference, Cultural Difference and Social Solidarity, Technical University, Northern Cyprus, July 2012

Kollontai, P.C.H.  (2012) ‘Faith-based Peace-making: Challenging the Dysfunctional Dynamics of a World in Crisis’, Keynote Speaker, Global Forum of Christian Organisations for North Korean Mission of Reconciliation, Youngnak Presbyterian Church, Seoul, Korea, June 2012

Kollontai, P.C.H. (2012) ‘Teaching about Peace and Reconciliation through Art’, Research Seminar Series, Kaye College of Education, Be’er Sheva, Israel, January 2012.

Kollontai, P.C.H.(2011) ‘Religion and Nationalism: The Child Visionaries of Medjugorje’, 11th International Conference on Children’s Spirituality Richmond, Virginia, USA, August 2011.

Kollontai, P.C.H  (2010) 'The Visual Arts and the Quest for Peace and Reconciliation: Promoting Theosis to Confront the Anthropocentrism of a Secularised World’, 3rd International Conference on Peace and Reconciliation, Seoul, South Korea, November 2010.

Kollontai, P.C.H. (2010) ‘Using Art in Philosophy of Religion to Challenge Evil and Suffering’, 3rd International Conference on Arts, Literature and Religion, University of Iowa, USA, April 2010.

Kollontai, P.C.H. (2009) ‘The Dynamics of Religion in Peace-Building’, Chevening Conflict Resolution Programme, Centre for Post-Conflict Development, University of York, January 2009.

Kollontai, P.C.H. (2009) ‘Religious-Based Organisations and Educating about Each Other’,Mali Koraci Association, Sarajevo, Bosnia, June 2009.

Kollontai, P. C.H (2008) ‘Religion and the Constructing of Community and Identity’, paper given as Visiting Fellow, Meiji University, Tokyo January 2008.

Kollontai, P. C.H (2006) ‘A Model of Intrinsic Inter-Religious Dialogue Created Through Extrinsic Motivation’, University College Winchester, April 2006.

Kollontai, P. C.H. (2004).‘Inter-religious Dialogue and Working for Social Justice’,  St Anne’s College, Oxford, June 2004.

Professional activities

Membership of Professional/Academic Bodies

• Elected Member of Centre for Theological Inquiry, Princeton, USA.
• Elected Member of The International Symposium for Religious Education and Values (ISREV).
• Member of The Global Network for Public Theology
• British Association for the Study of Religion
  International Peace Research Association
  International Peace Research Association, Co-Convenor, Religion, Peace and Spirituality Commission (2014-2017)
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Editorial Member

• Co-editor and co-founder of Routledge book series, Religion Matters: On the Significance of Religion in Global Issues
• Editorial team for Religions for Peace Publications, UN, New York, (2020 - 2023)
• Editorial Advisory Board, Journal of Research in Education, (2013 to 2016)
• International Editorial Advisory Board, Religious Education Journal of Australia, (2010 to 2015)

Reviewing

• Article Review Panel, International Journal of Public Theology
• Article Review Panel, Journal of Religion

International Consultant and Reviewing

• December 2021 Project Review Consultant for Fulbright Commission Research Scholarships, Czech Republic.
• June – July 2021 International Assessor for the Centre for Religious and Spiritual Education (CRSE) at the University of Hong Kong, (assessment of the Centre’s 3-year Period Report and Future Development Plan regarding its teaching and learning programmes, Knowledge Transfer Projects and Research)
• April 2021 - June 2021 International Panel Expert for the Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education (SKVC), Lithuania. Panel Member for assessment of programmes in religious studies at Klaipeda University and Vilnius University