An independent faith-based research institution
Christianity and the New Social Order
Chris Baker, John Atherton and John Reader have just secured a contract with SPCK to write an updated version of Temple's seminal book Christianity and Social Order. The book will be publised to coincide with the 70th Anniversary of Temple's original in early 2011.
We aim to continue the visionary thinking of Archbishop William Temple about the ongoing search for a just and inclusive society.
We research into:
- Faith based engagement in civil society (religious and spiritual capital)
- Contribution of religion to wellbeing and happiness
- Postsecular Cities - space, theory, practice
- Relgion and Political Economy - including Religious Futures Network
WTF was co-sponsor of a national briefing conference on May 6th 2009 entitled Social Policy and Social Capital in the UK - Taking Stock - Engaging Policy. It brought together practitioners, academics, and statutory agencies to discuss the latest initiatives and future possibilities with regard to the participation of faith groups in social policy, especially welfare. Other sponsors included University of Warwick and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. For copy of the conference report click here
WTF is part of a consortium (including the Church of England and the University of Manchester) that has made a successful bid to the ESRC Seminars competition worth 14K. Entitled Faith, Secularism and Public Policy the seminar series ran in Manchester from January to June 2009. An edited volume of the seminars together with original material is being drawn together by Chris Baker, Elaine Graham and Stephen Lowe for publication with Continuum Press later in 2010.
WTF has received 140K three year grant from Leverhulme Trust for new research into religious and spiritual capital in the UK - research started March 1st 2007 and is due for completion shortly. Access our Year One Literature Review and Year 1 and Year 2 report for this research project.
WTF secures 23K Religion and Society Grant from AHRC (Art and Humanities Research Council) into faith contributions to the Wellbeing and Happiness debate in partnership with the University of Manchester. The network completed its work in June 2009 and a book entitled The Practices of Happiness:Political Economy, Religion and Wellbeing will be published by Routledge in 2010
William Temple Foundation has recently moved its involvement with research development to the Professional Doctorate of Practical Theology Programme at the University of Chester. (click here for further details)
Read WTF's mission statement, or take a look at our research and networking activities and publications, read our .
Read Faiths and Finance - a place for faith-based economics, written by John Atherton and others - a joint Islamic/Christian initiative. This report was launched at the Christian-Muslim Forum event at Manchester Town Hall on November 15th 2006.
Research papers
- Download John Reader's latest paper on Blurred Encounters and Public Theology entitled The Dark Side of Public Theology: Counting the Cost of Encounter.
- Seeking hope in the indifferent city - faith-based contributions to spaces of production and meaning making in the postsecular city (Word,92KB) paper delivered by Chris Baker at the annual meeting of the Association of American Geographers, Boston April 2008
- Leverhulme Trust - Faith and Traditional Capitals: defining the public scope of religious capital - Year 1 literature review
- Glendale Alive - report for the Rural Mission and Ministry Initiative April 2008
- Our 2006 report Faith in Action - The dynamic connection between spiritual and religious capital (PDF, 271KB) is now available.
- Chris Baker writes about Spiritual and Religious Capital (Word, 40KB) in New Start.
More news, more research, more publications...