About us

The William Temple Foundation:

• was created to take forward the concern of Archbishop William Temple (1881-1944) for a coherent engagement between the religion and the economy, civil society, urbanisation, public policy and wellbeing and happiness;
• was founded in 1947 as a theological college working with lay people to relate Christian faith to the realities of the post-war secular world;
• is now interfaith in staffing, structure and work patterns.

Our core concerns:

• strengthening and developing the churches' theology and practice in their engagement with economics, working life and urban communities through original research and training;
• developing local, regional and national networks to share experience, thinking and practice models;
• seeking to influence the structures of churches and other faith communities and society in solidarity with those who are marginalised and disadvantaged by economic and political policies and social trends.

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Staff

Dr. Christopher Baker, Director of Research at the William Temple Foundation, joined the Foundation staff in September 2001. He was awarded a Doctorate at Manchester University on the impact of new town planning on religious behviour and belonging in the UK and went on to teach urban theology at the university. He now works two days a week at the University of Chester, where he is Associate Team Leader of the Professional Doctorate in Practical Theology programme, and is Director of the new research partnership between the University of Chester and the Foundation. A new Centre for Faiths and Public Policy was established in Easter 2011. The Foundation has just completed a major research project for the Leverhulme Trust on the scope and impact of religious and spiritual capital in the UK Publications by Christopher Baker.

 

Research Staff

Greg Smith (2009 - 2010) joined William Temple Foundation in June 2009 as an associate researcher. BA Mphil, formerly a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Institutional Studies, University of East London. Has 30 years experience as a 'reflective practitioner' in Christian urban ministry, faith linked community development and urban regeneration, in Newham, East London and Preston. Now community co-ordinator with the Salvation Army Open Door Project, Preston. He is also involved in capacity building for churches and voluntary groups, inter-faith networking and church-based children's work.

For further information about his work and publications see his website http://gregsmith.synthasite.com

Dr. Rana Jawad (2008- 2009) joined William Temple Foundation as an associate researcher involved in the Leverhulme-funded project on spiritual and religious capital. Her main area of research is the role of religion in relation to social policy and social welfare. She has particular expertise on Islam and the region of the Middle East. She is currently researching the implications of the UK's welfare reform act for the increased involvement of faith groups in social welfare provision. Rana is also treasurer of the Social Policy Association (www.social-policy.com). Publications by Rana Jawad.

Dr. Jonathan Miles-Watson (2007-2008) joined the William Temple Foundation, in the capacity of research fellow, in 2007. His work, funded by the Leverhulme Trust focused on exploring concepts of Religious and Spiritual Capital. He previously worked as a lecturer in Anthropology at Swansea University and in the department of Religious Studies at the University of Aberdeen. He is also an honorary research fellow and occasional lecturer at the University of Manchester and a fellow of the British Academy’s Society for Asian Studies.

Hannah Skinner (2003-2006). Her role involved briefing the Church of England and other denominations on economic issues. She also contributed to the Foundation's core work and research programme. Publications by Hannah Skinner.

 

Senior Research Fellows

Revd. Canon Dr. John Atherton was until the end of 2004 Canon Theologian at Manchester Cathedral. He continues to be an Honorary Lecturer at the University of Manchester. His association with the Foundation goes back many decades including a period in the 70s when he worked with David Jenkins for the Foundation. John is an established and renowned publisher on social ethics, Christian political economy, marginalisation and Public Theology. His future work and research will continue to feed into the overall programme of the Foundation for the next few years. Publications by John Atherton

Revd. Dr. John Reader John is now Rector of the Ironstone Benefice (8 rural churches in North Oxfordshire) having served most of his ordained ministry in rural parishes. A Practical Theologian, he has published books on Local Theology, Blurred Encounters and Reconstructing Practical Theology in the light of globalization. He is also one of the Senior Tutors for the Christian Rural Environmental Studies course based at Ripon College, Cuddesdon. Diploma in Christian Rural and Environmental Studies.

Professor Ian Steedman was educated in London, Cambridge and Manchester and has been a Professor of Economics at both Manchester University and Manchester Metropolitan University. He has a long-standing involvement in (micro) economic theory, in the history of economic thought and in the intersections among economics, ethics and social thought and has published extensively in these fields. His current work includes the study of "happiness" and its relation to welfare economics. Publications by Ian Steedman.

 

John Atherden, Finance Officer, completes the team.