2024 Conference Call for Papers: Seminar Streams
General guidelines
In keeping with the general short papers call for the conference, we request that abstracts of 150-300 words are submitted to the relevant stream using the submission form by 5pm on 17th January 2024. There is one submission form for all seminar streams; please indicate on the form which stream you would like to be considered for. Successful applicants may be invited to present at a different stream than they applied to; all decisions will be notified by the 16th February.
Please note that delegates are invited to present a maximum of one paper at the annual conference, which includes across seminar streams and short papers sessions, to ensure that more researchers are given opportunities to present their work and to ensure that the conference works towards its inclusion and access aims.
An application form can be found at the bottom of this page.
1. Black Theology
Convenors: Dulcie McKenzie
This seminar provides a space for participants to critique how race and power affects theological thought and practice. Historical and contemporary experiences of Black people will be a priority, in order to explore how historical, social, political, and cultural factors influence theological motifs.
Selection criteria for abstracts:
- A commitment to the methodologies of Black and Womanist Theology for interpretation are especially welcome
- Demonstrates a commitment to praxis concerning the particularities of Black experience
- Shows innovative ways of challenging white supremacy and white hegemony through Black and womanist theological lens.
2. Christology, Trinity, and Doctrine of God
Convenors: E. S. Kempson, Simeon Zahl
This stream focuses on three classic but closely related theological loci: Christology, Trinity, and Doctrine of God. Paper proposals may focus on one of, the intersection of, or combination of any of these three loci. We welcome a variety of theological approaches, including (but not limited to) systematic, dogmatic, constructive, philosophical, practical, contextual, and historical theology. We also encourage students from a variety of backgrounds to submit paper proposals.
Selection criteria for abstracts:
- Relevance to the Christology, Trinity, and Doctrine of God stream
- Clarity of thesis as well as rigor and coherence of argument
- Originality combined with judicious application of scholarly practice
3. Church, Theology and Ministry
Convenors: Julie Gittoes and Danny Pegg
This seminar provides space for participants to reflect on the life and ministry of the church – within a particular denomination or tradition or from the perspective of the development of ecclesiology as a doctrine. This might include work on ministerial practice and orders, questions relating to worship and witness or concern for mission or ecumenical relations. We particularly welcome papers from those in ministry, including ordinands, as well as students and those working within the academy from a variety of backgrounds.
Selection criteria for abstracts:
- Commitment to theological engagement with, and resourcing of, the life and ministry of the church;
- Clarity of thesis as well as coherence and rigour of the argument;
- Potential to contribute to the field through research and reflection on practice – including papers which are works progress.
4. Ecotheology
Convenors: Caleb Gordon, Tim Middleton
Ecotheology describes an area of study concerned with the whole ‘household’ of creation, articulating the theological significance of its interrelated nature while providing critique of the human activities which lead to environmental, social, and ecological breakdown. In this stream, we invite papers from a wide variety of disciplinary perspectives, including ethics, philosophy, systematic theology, world Christianity, religious studies, indigenous theology, practical theology, and more. Noting that blame for the climate crisis is not evenly distributed and that the consequences of ecological collapse are often felt by those least responsible, we are keen to receive papers that address ecological justice and its intersection with issues of gender, race, and class. Whilst critical, this stream also aims to be constructive, and we are especially interested in papers that build towards actionable theological initiatives or revised theological formulations in conversation with established doctrines and existing traditions.
Selection criteria for abstracts:
- Clarity and rigour of the paper’s proposed argument
- The originality of the proposal
- Engagement with a diverse range of voices on an issue of ecological concern
5. LGBTQIA+ Theology
Convenors: Sarah Molyneux-Hetherington
The LGBTQI+ seminar exists to promote the contributions, past and present, of queer persons and queer perspectives to modern discourses within the field of theology. We recognise that many of these insights have been excluded from both the congregation and academy, and so this seminar provides a safe and constructive space to challenge such marginalisations. Proposals for papers should explore the intersection of LGBTQI+ and the various fields broadly construed as theology. Topics may include (but are not limited to) queer identity and queer relationships in different contexts, as well as queer approaches to theological motifs and practices. We particularly encourage papers that are attentive to pan, poly and trans perspectives. It is not a requirement to identify as LGBTQI+ to contribute to this stream.
Selection criteria for abstracts:
- The originality of the proposal
- Demonstrates clarity of the proposed argument and relevance to the LGBTQI+ Seminar Stream
6. Sacramentality, Liturgy, and Theology
Convenors: Kirsty Borthwick, Karen O’Donnell
This theological stream welcomes papers addressing sacramental and liturgical theologies broadly construed, including those taking both historical and contemporary approaches. We particularly encourage papers that are attentive to power dynamics and a diversity of voices, and those that are interdisciplinary. This theological stream seeks to provide space for reflection on both practice and theory.
Selection criteria for abstracts:
- We are looking for papers which demonstrate clarity and clear coherence with the stream’s scope and which show promise of developing new ideas, lines of research, or approaches to key themes
- We welcome ‘papers in process’ as well as finished pieces of work, for those seeking opportunities to develop their writing
7. Theological Anthropology
Convenors: Al McFadyen, Stephan van Erp
The Theological Anthropology seminar seeks papers on the Christian understanding of humanity. We encourage papers that engage with the diversity of embodied and lived humanity, including diversity as shaped by race, gender, class, disability, sexual orientation, age. Our intention is to gather papers that consider human life and experience in its concreteness and particularity, or as theorised in secular disciplines reflecting on human reality or guiding professional practice. We are especially interested in how theological anthropology might be challenged by exposure to situations somehow disclosive of humanity or where humanity is somehow called into question: where it is vulnerable, damaged and damaging, for instance. At the same time, we are interested in contributions that explore the potential of Christian theological and biblical resources might be drawn on to illuminate the human in such situations; deepen and enrich secular theory and professional practice (secular and ecclesial). Consequently, we have a preference for papers that do not consider Christian doctrine or biblical material in isolation from secular thought or practice or lived human experience and reality.
Selection criteria for abstracts:
- Papers that relate Christian thinking about humanity in doctrine and/or the bible to the embodied experience of situations of lived humanity; secular professional practice and/or theory; issues related to human diversity
- We welcome polished, written papers as well as more open, exploratory and conversational discussions where work may be at an early or unfinished stage seeking interlocutors in trialling new ideas
8. Theological Ethics
Convenors: Esther McIntosh, Margaret Adams
The Theological Ethics short paper stream provides a space for participants to reflect on the interface between theology and ethics. We welcome papers addressing any aspect of this interface, including theoretically oriented discussions and papers addressing specific ethical issues from a theological perspective through contemporary, medieval or patristic theology. We especially welcome papers engaging, for example, issues of ethical significance from the perspectives of feminism, post-colonialism, race and ethnicity, queer theology, disability studies, gender and sexuality, refugees and asylum, medical ethics, global health, animal welfare, climate change and the environment, socio-economic issues, borders and identity, criminality, detention, substance use, populism, social justice and equality, autonomy and agency, international development, genetic engineering, artificial intelligence and many more. Papers may include but are not limited to any of the above areas of investigation; any theological and ethical issue of political and social significance is ripe for exploration in this short paper stream.
Selection criteria for abstracts – we will select papers for presentation based on:
- The originality of the proposal
- Its relevance to the theological ethics stream
- The anticipated likelihood of its argument being of interest to those working in theological ethics
9. Theology and the Arts
Convenors: Ben Quash, Devon Abts
The Theology and the Arts seminar strand seeks to foster dialogue between scholars and practitioners who are working on any aspect of Christian theology and any strand of the arts. Papers may treat visual art, architecture, and urban space as well as literature, music, film, dance, theatre, and more—from any historical period or geographical region. We aim to ensure as rich an interdisciplinary set of engagements as possible, to include perspectives from a wide variety of contexts, and to make space for the insights of different ecclesial and theological traditions.
Selection criteria for abstracts – in selecting papers, we seek a balance between:
- Early-career and established scholars
- A variety of art forms
- A variety of academic and/or ecclesial affiliations
10. Theology and Science
Convenors: Mark Harris, Tobias Tanton
The natural sciences have changed the religious landscape of the modern world dramatically and irreversibly, and theology is often seen to be fighting a rearguard action in the face of the widespread perception that science and religion are irreconcilably at odds. Over the past few decades a flourishing academic discipline (often referred to simply as ‘science and religion’, and now often as ‘science-engaged theology’) has grown up, seeking to engage theology more positively with scientific advances. The Theology and Science seminar exists to promote this positive dialogue with the natural sciences. Proposals for papers which explore any angle of the dialogue between theology and science are most welcome.
Selection criteria for abstracts:
- Demonstrates clarity and rigour of the paper’s proposed argument
- Endeavours to use scientific findings responsibly
- Shows promise of developing novel ideas, new lines of research, or new approaches
