Dean of Humanities

"In August 2010 I became Dean of Humanities. I have two first class honours degrees, in English Literature and in Theology, two Masters, in early 20^th century poetry and in Theology, and a PhD in Theology and Sociology of Religion. My vision is for the faculty to secure increasing recognition as a centre of excellence in teaching and research; we combine a consistently outstanding performance in the National Student Survey (well over 90% satisfaction rating in every department) with a rising reputation for research of international stature. Our academic teams are passionate about their subjects and caring towards their students. We are determined to continue to be a very popular university for undergraduate study, and we also expect to recruit growing numbers of MA, PhD and Professional Doctorate students. We want to welcome growing numbers of international students and look forward to working increasingly with businesses, charities (including the Chester Literature Festival), churches and theological colleges.

My research interests focus on the sociology of contemporary Christianity: secularization and pluralism in the British religious economy; contemporary socio-cultural modifications of religious traditions and practices; and the evolution of evangelicalism and fundamentalism. I also remain fascinated by the crises of faith explored in Victorian literature. My latest book is Secularization and Its Discontents (Continuum, 2010), of which one leading academic has said, ‘It will have to be on recommended reading lists for all doing sociology of religion from now on.’

I am part of a research team, with colleagues from the Universities of Durham and Derby, that received a three-year award of £334,000 from the AHRC/ESRC Religion and Society programme. We are conducting an empirical study of Christian faith and the university experience, examining Roman Catholic, mainstream Protestant and evangelical student groups, and exploring ways in which being at university may modify, intensify, radicalize or marginalize religious allegiance and identity. Public engagement from this project includes University mission, management and student support groups, NUS, chaplaincies, student-based religious organisations and churches.

I am married to Claire and we enjoy walks in the country, gardening and photography. My favourite city is Florence. My first career was in commercial publishing, and I look forward to combining academic and entrepreneurial initiatives for the advancement of the faculty.