University of Aberdeen - Divinity & Religious Studies

03/10/2024

Dr Paula Sweeney will give the keynote talk next week (10th-11th October) at the first workshop of the ERC Starting Grant project “avataResponsibility” (Avatar agency: Moral responsibility at the intersection of individual, collective, and artificial social entities in emergent avatar communities. The workshop is hosted by the Research Center in Applied Ethics, University of Bucharest.

Description: Avatars in the form of digital or robotic embodied representations of a person in virtual or physical environments are being deployed in fields such as healthcare, education, social interaction or workspace. Alternatively termed as digital/ robotic twins, clones or duplicates of real hu...

04/06/2024

Centre for Autism and Theology Webinar
To Register -https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-research/research-areas/864/divinity/

24/04/2024

This upcoming Hybrid event is to mark the 90th anniversary of the Barmen Theological Declaration.
Further information in the QR Code.

16/04/2024

The Archbishop of Canterbury is to be awarded an Honorary Degree of Divinity.

The University of Aberdeen will award an honorary degree to the Archbishop of Canterbury in recognition of his contribution to faith and society.

16/04/2024

Rev Dr Ken Jeffrey visits Seoul in South Korea.
Upon the invitation of the Methodist Church, and towards the end of March, Rev Dr Ken Jeffrey, from Divinity, visited Seoul in South Korea. During his week-long visit, he gave two keynote addresses to an audience of missionaries from around the world at the Methodist Church Mission Education Centre. He also preached on Maundy Thursday to a congregation of more than 500 students at the Methodist Theological University. In addition, he had the opportunity of presenting a lecture on Billy Graham and the 1955 All Scotland Crusade at Yonsei University to an invited group of guests that included scholars and senior church leaders from America and Korea. Finally, he participated in an Easter Sunday service at Bethany Methodist Church in Seoul that was attended by several thousand people. Throughout his visit, he was accompanied by one of his PGR students, Seonkuk Kim, who kindly provided interpretation for all of his speaking engagements. Describing his experience, Ken said, ‘It was a great privilege and pleasure to receive the opportunity of visiting South Korea and making many new friends among the Methodists there. I hope this might be the start of a new relationship that Aberdeen University is able to create in Eastern Asia.’

Dr Jeffrey and guests who attended his Billy Graham lecture at Yonsei University.

22/02/2024

International Women's Day
We're thrilled to announce a special programme of events to celebrate International Women's Day that will adopt the official campaign theme of . Our events will take place between 4 - 14 March and will celebrate the people behind the incredible research that's been making a difference and breaking boundaries.



Dive deep into equality, inclusion, and diversity with captivating talks from speakers who will share their inspiring career journeys and personal challenges, as well as a networking opportunity in a beautiful city centre venue with refreshments and canapes.



We will also host a panel discussion highlighting the innovative and imaginative research taking place as part of our Social Inclusion and Cultural Diversity interdisciplinary theme.

When we inspire others to understand and value women's inclusion, we forge a better world. And when women themselves are inspired to be included, there's a sense of belonging, relevance and empowerment.

19/02/2024

A reminder that the 2024 Gifford Lectures, to be given by Professor Miri Rubin of Queen Mary University of London on the theme “The Feminine and the Religious Imagination”, will start one week from today.

The details of the first lecture, which is open to staff, students, and the general public, are:

Monday 26th February 2024, 6.00pm

King’s College Conference Centre

“An Introduction, and Considering the Necessity of the Feminine”



The event next Monday will also be followed by a drinks reception open to all attendees.

For further information, please visit http://abdn.io/pM or e-mail [email protected]

We are delighted to welcome Professor Miri Rubin to deliver the 2024 Gifford Lectures. Miri holds a chair of Medieval and Early Modern History at Queen Mary University of London. She has taught at Cambridge and Oxford, has been a visiting scholar at several international research institutions, and d...

14/12/2023

We’ve just added an additional SGSAH Divinity and Religions training event to this year’s programme: a workshop on applying for research funding. It will be held in Glasgow on 21st March, 2024, with free lunch and reimbursement for travel within Scotland for PGR students at Scottish universities.
Book via Eventbrite.

One-day workshop on funding opportunities and strategy in TRS

06/12/2023

Webinar: “The Spiritual Experiences and Expressions of Non-or Minimally Speaking Autistic People"
The Centre for Autism and Theology would like to invite you to our next webinar which will take place on the 7th December, 10am-11:30am (GMT). Dr Karenne Hills will be speaking on “The Spiritual Experiences and Expressions of Non-or Minimally Speaking Autistic People.” To register for the event,

05/12/2023

SGSAH-sponsored day conference for all PhD students in Theology & Religious Studies in the Scottish universities

The programme for the day will comprise sessions of submitted papers, a plenary panel discussion with staff from the Scottish universities, morning coffee, a catered lunch, and a concluding drinks reception. Scottish PGR students will be able to claim back economy travel expenses within Scotland after the event. The event is sponsored by SGSAH (Scottish Graduate School of Arts and Humanities) and hosted by the Department of Divinity at the University of Aberdeen.

20/11/2023

The Centre for Autism and Theology would like to invite you to their next webinar which will take place on the 7th December, 10am-11:30am (GMT). Dr Karenne Hills will be speaking on “The Spiritual Experiences and Expressions of Non-or Minimally Speaking Autistic People.” See the attached invitation for more information, and follow this link to register for the event.

09/11/2023

Autism and Theology Highlights
In September, the Centre for Autism and Theology (CAT) launched its own podcast. It has been a soaring start, with encouraging feedback by listeners from all over the world. Every month an episode is released, featuring interviews with CAT staff and students about their research and with invited guests. In between these releases, the shorter monthly CATChats include informal conversations with our hosts, where they answer questions from listeners. Tune in on Spotify here!

Meanwhile, the Centre for Autism and Theology has released a short series of videos in which students talk about their research and what it is like to study at CAT. Watch here to find out what Sarah, Stewart, and Zoe are passionate about in their research, or what they have to say about what their autism brings to their research, what advice they would give to other autistic students, and how the Centre for Autism and Theology has impacted their study experience and research!

26/09/2023

Rev Dr Ken Jeffrey, from the University’s Divinity Department serves 7SCOTS, 7th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, as a Reserve Padre. At present, he is participating in Ex Sava Star in Croatia where 7SCOTS are undertaking their annual deployment exercise. Dr Jeffrey led two services in the exercise area and distributed some Percy Pig sweets to boost morale among those taking part in the exercise who had endured some heavy rainfall during the previous twenty hours while out in the field.
He also led a very moving Remembrance Service for the victims of the Croatian “Homeland War” in 1991 when the hosts took them to visit Vukovar, a town that was besieged for 87 days and where approx. 3000 combatants and civilians died. Many of the hosts actually fought in that conflict so this act of remembrance was greatly appreciated. Please see further information and images at
https://twitter.com/7SCOTS/status/1706184183763091480

18/09/2023

We are delighted to announce that the School of Divinity, History, Philosophy and Art History has achieved a renewal of its Bronze Award in recognition of our commitment to improving and nurturing an inclusive culture in the School.
Please share.

14/03/2023

03/11/2022

Dear All,

You are warmly invited to the next webinar of the Centre for Autism and Theology, on Autism, Mobile Technology and the Church, with Dr Catherine Tryfona, on tomorrow from 4pm-5.30pm. Dr Tryfona is Associate Dean at Cardiff School of Technologies, Cardiff Metropolitan University. She will discuss the use of mobile technology by autistic children when they are in churches, and particularly how senior clergy perceive of this use. Dr Tryfona will particularly give attention to the role of clergy and theological considerations, along with societal and cultural influences on the use of mobile technology by autistic children. Please see the attached for details and registration details.

Best wishes,

Léon

13/10/2022

Dear All,

I am pleased to advise that applications are now open for the ‘Development Trust Student Fund’ for the 2022/23 academic year. Funded by donations from our worldwide community of alumni and supporters, the Fund is aimed at enhancing the student experience for the wider student community. It aims to support initiatives such as extra-curricular activities and student support initiatives that benefit the wider student community. I attach a poster about the scheme and would appreciate it if you could promote within your sections and with those who can help spread the word.

From CASE to Nightline, and the Gaudie Newspaper to Student Radio, the Development Trust Student Fund is here to help. Are you working on a project that will enhance the student experience at the University of Aberdeen? Perhaps you and your friends have an innovative and exciting idea for students but are unsure of how to fund it. By sharing your idea or project with the University of Aberdeen Development Trust you could qualify for up to £5,000 of funding. Every year the Development Trust Student Fund gives away tens of thousands of pounds to support initiatives that help students live student life to the full. Extra-curricular activities and student support initiatives are an important part of your university experience. Staff should encourage student groups to apply but can also apply themselves if the project benefits the wider student experience.

Please have a look and share some of the Facebook posts that will be posted here: https://www.facebook.com/UoADevTrust

This links to a couple of blog pieces or they can be seen direct here https://www.abdn.ac.uk/giving/blog/index.php Please promote through your own page and other social media.

Who Can Apply:
Current students and employees of the University of Aberdeen
Permanent staff members of Aberdeen University Students’ Association (AUSA).

Please note that funding for student clubs and societies registered with AUSA is disbursed through AUSA. Applications from clubs and societies will not be considered and should be submitted to AUSA as part of the `AUSA Student Fund`. For more information contact [email protected]

What We Could Support:
Projects, initiatives, trips and services that can:
enhance the student experience focussing on extra-curricular activities and services
demonstrate financial need and the difference receiving funding will make
ideally impact on the wider student community

Individual applications for staffing costs, tuition fees or hardship are not eligible for support from the Development Trust Student Fund. Please note that the scheme is not for individual student support for dissertations or trips.

For Full Information and How to Apply:
Simply download the application form and complete it using the application guidelines here http://www.abdn.ac.uk/student-experience-fund

Closing Date for Applications:
Monday 24 October 2022

From Bookends to Nightline, the Chapel Choir to the Transition Programme, the Development Trust Student Fund is here to help.  Are you working on a project that will enhance the student experience at the University of Aberdeen? Perhaps you and your friends have an innovative and exciting idea for ...

14/09/2022

We are delighted to introduce Professor Beth Lord as the new Head of School of Divinity, History, Philosophy and Art History.

Commenting on her appointment, Beth said “I am delighted to take up the role of Head of School of DHPA as we emerge from the pandemic and consider our priorities afresh. I look forward to working with colleagues to support our School’s outstanding teaching and research and to leading new initiatives and collaborations, both within the University and in the community more broadly.”

Please see further details at: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/staffnet/news/16266/

17/06/2022

Divinity Affiliated Institutions Scholarships

The Divinity department at the University of Aberdeen offers a 10% tuition fee discount for students of our affiliated institutions who apply, and are admitted, to work towards a research programme in any of the sub-disciplines of Divinity as resident students on our campus. The 10% discount is valid for the duration of the supervised study only; writing up costs are the responsibility of the student.

Use the link below for more details.
https://www.abdn.ac.uk/sdhp/courses/divinity-affiliated-institutions-scholarships-2409.php

The Divinity department at the University of Aberdeen offers a 10% tuition fee discount for students of our affiliated institutions who apply, and are admitted, to work towards a research programme in any of the sub-disciplines of Divinity as resident students on our campus. The 10% discount is vali...

30/05/2022

About the Organisation
The School of Divinity, History, Philosophy and History of Art (DHPA) in partnership with GREC (Grampian Regional Equality Council) is looking for current DHPA students (UG-PGR and PGT) to take up a Summer Internship at GREC

About the Opportunity
GREC to support the council in researching and developing a project aimed at understanding accommodation needs of minority ethnic communities (including Gypsy/Travellers) in Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire. The findings will be used to develop part of the Local Housing Strategy of Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Councils
Key Responsibilities
· Undertaking desktop research to review previous findings on accommodation needs of minority ethnic communities and Gypsy/Travellers in Scotland and more specifically the North East of Scotland
· Supporting the project co-ordinator to organize and facilitate focus groups with communities, to build on existing research;
Person Specification
This role is open to current DHPA students (UG-PGR and PGT)

16/05/2022

Joint workshop on interdisciplinary methodologies

On Wednesday the 11th of May, DHPA and LLMVC hosted a joint workshop on interdisciplinary methodologies, which was attended by research staff and PGR students from both schools. The theme of the workshop was the risks and stakes of working across disciplinary boundaries, in terms of perceived validity and legitimacy. How do we navigate past and engage with the established paradigms and methodologies when we venture into a different disciplinary area -- for example, what does it mean to 'do history' as a modern linguist? How do we get round the disciplinary gatekeepers who give themselves the role of determining what makes for a valid contribution in the area?

The talks were delivered by an external speaker, Dr Undine Sellbach (Philosophy at Dundee University), and two internal speakers -- Professor Ed Welch (French) and Dr Arnar Árnason (Anthropology). The format was a 20 min talk from each speaker, followed by Q&A.

Both LLMVC and DHPA have recently been discussing ways of fostering interdisciplinary collaboration in research in and beyond the Humanities, especially in light of the strategy set out in Aberdeen 2040. The workshop provided an opportunity for research staff and PGRs to share experiences of potential challenges and exchange ideas about how best to facilitate interdisciplinary research between the two school.

13/05/2022

REF2021: Divinity ranked number 1 in the UK

The publication of the results of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 - a discipline-based expert review process of evaluating research activity – show that DHPA has maintained its strong position for research quality. As in the rest of the University, a wide and inclusive breath of research was submitted, reflecting all areas of strength.

Divinity was ranked 1st in the UK for overall quality of research. 54% of the research outputs in Divinity were rated as world-leading and 40% as internationally excellent, in terms of the originality, significance and rigour of peer-reviewed articles and monographs. That means more than half of the submitted outputs were outstandingly novel and transformative, having a profound influence in relevant areas. Moreover, in Divinity 75% of the impact of published research and 90% of the research environment have been recognised as world-leading. That is a truly outstanding achievement by our colleagues in Divinity.

History (combined with Art History) has also performed very well. No less than 63% of the research outputs were assessed as either world-leading or internationally excellent. And the research environment was recognised as incredibly strong in that 40% was considered as world-leading and 50% as internationally excellent. Likewise, in Philosophy 63% of the research outputs were rated as either world-leading or internationally excellent, and 88% of the research environment as internationally excellent.

13/05/2022

Please note the existence of the Aberdeen Global Scholarships: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/funding/559

This scholarship provides a £3k tuition fee discount to ALL eligible on-campus Masters students from a long list of international countries (basically non-EU: includes US!), starting Sept 22 or Jan 23. Eligible students automatically receive the discount.

The University of Aberdeen is delighted to offer the Aberdeen Global Scholarship to international students starting in September 2022 or January 2023. This is a £3,000 tuition fee discount open to eligible self-funded taught Masters students who are classed as international fee status and domiciled...

10/05/2022

Dear Students,

Please note the John Reid Postgraduate Scholarship is available for 2022-2023.

The main terms of the scholarship are:

- It is available on an annual basis to undergraduate students graduating at Honours level in an Arts subject (MA or BMus qualification) from the University of Aberdeen, who have an offer to undertake postgraduate study at an institution outside of Scotland.
- All students graduating from the University of Aberdeen with an undergraduate degree in July 2022 aspiring to study at postgraduate level starting in September 2022 at an institution outside Scotland are eligible to apply. Preference will be given to students graduating with a degree in an Arts subject.
- While the level of awards varies according to the funds available and the number of applicants, the Trust has been able in recent years to support around three or four students per year to the extent of £800-£1500 a year.
Full details can be found at John Reid Postgraduate Scholarship | Funding | Study Here | The University of Aberdeen (abdn.ac.uk)
The closing date is Monday 6th June 2022.

10/05/2022

Congratulations to Professor John Swinton, FRSE, who has been appointed as a chaplain to The Queen. The Court Circular has announced this today, and an article on this can be found here: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/news/15990/
Great news John!

The University of Aberdeen's Professor John Swinton has been appointed as a Chaplain to Her Majesty The Queen.