Research

CTC offers a unique combination of grassroots involvement and serious academic analysis.  Our aim is to bring theology and other academic disciplines into a deeper dialogue with the inner-city context, producing research which will support faithful and effective ministry.  The Centre's Fellowship is a team of academics and experienced practitioners who contribute to its work via research, advice and teaching.  A full list of CTC research papers and publications is here The Centre's current research has three streams:

Contending Modernities: Christian, Muslim & secular

Part of the University of Notre Dame (UND) Contending Modernities programme, this research partnership is explore the motivations for Christian, Muslim and secular engagement in community organising - and the way these different worldviews negotiate a common life.  It builds on our previous Just Communities research programme on the public dimensions of faith in a pluralist society.  Researchers: Vincent Rougeau, Angus Ritchie, Ruhana Ali, David Barclay, Caitlin Burbridge, Arabella Milbank

Latest research papers:

A Ritchie 2012, From Goodness to God: why religion makes sense of our moral commitments, Theos report

A Milbank 2012, Organised Christians: A contextual sounding on the meaning of community organising and the faithful motivation to organise amongst Christians in East London today, CTC briefing paper

R Ali, L Jamoul & Y Vali 2012, A New Covenant of Virtue: Islam and Community Organising, booklet for Citizens UK

Will the first be last?

This is a partnership with The Childrens' Society on (i) the impact of inequality and the related impact of poverty on children and young people; (ii) a Christian vision of the common good; and (iii) the practical contribution the Church can make to a more just social order. Click here for an introduction to the project.  Researchers: Angus Ritchie, Caitlin Burbridge

Latest research papers:

Religious and Secular Philosophy

The Centre is engaged in work for the University of Oxford's New Insights programme, which is seeking to bring together insights in secular and religious philosophy - and to engage in dissemination of research on issues relating to philosophy and religion.  Researcher: Angus Ritchie