President’s Message

Welcome to the Society for the Study of Theology!

SST aims to provide an inclusive space for engaging theological conversations. Most of our activity is focussed in our annual conference, which meets just before or after Easter each year and brings together around two hundred people with a wide range of theological interests. The conference enables participants to hear plenary papers from leading scholars, present and discuss short paper and seminar presentations, and get to know others working in the field. It attracts those doing theology in universities and theological colleges, in the churches and other professional contexts, and as independent scholars, from the UK and many other countries. We’re glad to hear that newcomers to the conference report finding it a welcoming and friendly space.

In recent years, the Society has recognised its responsibility to address ways in which theology functions to exclude voices from theological conversations on the basis of race, gender, sexuality, disability, caste, and class. We have made some progress within the conference through practical steps such as receptions for women and for UKME/GMH attendees, mentoring for those interested in proposing short papers, a bursary scheme to support the attendance of UKME/GMH scholars, a dedicated Disability representative on the Society’s Executive Committee, and the opportunity for LGBTQIA+ scholars to gather. We are committed to continue reflecting on what it means to enable inclusive theological discourse.

If you’re interested in the study of theology, do consider joining the society to keep up with our activities and register for the conference at a discounted rate. And consider yourself warmly invited to our next conference.

Professor David Clough, SST President