Call for Seminar Papers

General guidelines

In keeping with the general short papers call for the conference, we request that abstracts of up to 250 words are submitted by no later than 14 December (17:00 GMT) to the relevant stream(s) using the submission form at the bottom of this page.

There is one submission form for all seminar streams. Please indicate on the form the primary stream you would like to be considered for, as well as any additional streams that you would be happy to present in (maximum of three). Successful applicants may be invited to present at a different stream than they applied to; all decisions will be notified by the 14th of January.

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. Thus we would encourage you to think carefully about submitting more than one paper. Regardless of the number of submissions, a maximum of one proposal per individual will be accepted.

Seminar stream convenors will review submissions by following an anonymous review process. Authors’ names and identifying details will be redacted during the selection process.

1. Black and Womanist Theology

Convenors: Dulcie Dixon McKenzie, Valentina Alexander

This stream is a vital platform for both emerging and established scholars to engage critically and creatively with Black and Womanist theologies. Rooted in the urgency of lived Black experience, it invites theological inquiry that confronts and reimagines systems of power, resistance, and liberation. We centre the voices, histories, and spiritualities of Black communities, while interrogating how race, gender, class, and other intersecting forces shape theological narratives. This is more than an academic exercise—it’s a call to action, rooted in theologies that demand justice, healing, and transformation. This year, we especially welcome papers that speak to the theme Theology and Failure — examining where Black and Womanist theologies encounter, reinterpret, or resist the failures of dominant theological frameworks, institutions, and socio-political systems.

Selection criteria for abstracts:

• Engages with Black and/or Womanist theological methodologies in a rigorous and reflective way
• Demonstrates a clear commitment to praxis grounded in Black lived realities
• Offers bold, innovative critiques of white supremacy and hegemonic theology through a Black and Womanist lens

2. Christology, Trinity, and Doctrine of God

Convenors: E. S. Kempson, TBD

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. LGBTQI+ Theology

Convenors: Sarah Molyneux-Hetherington, Mark Russ

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
• Develops the field of LGBTQI+ further either through exploring the intersection of LGBTQI+ Theology and Theologians with other disciplines or further developing existing ideas and theologies.

6. Philosophy and Theology

Convenors: Marika Rose, Nomi Pritz-Bennett

This seminar focuses on the intersection of philosophy and theology; philosophical approaches to theology, theological engagements with philosophy, and explorations of the way in which theology and philosophy have shaped and continue to shape one another. We are open to submissions which engage with both analytic and continental philosophy. We especially welcome submissions which critically engage the role of white supremacy, Eurocentrism and colonialism in forming the Western philosophical and Christian theological traditions, or which engage with non-Western philosophical traditions. We are particularly interested in work which explores the relationship between philosophical abstractions and social and political issues such as race, gender, or class.

Selection criteria for abstracts:

• Clarity and originality of abstract
• ‘Fit’ with the seminar theme and with other submissions

7. 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

8. 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

9. Theological Ethics

Convenors: Margaret Adam

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 theology and ethics interactions. For example, papers might engage contemporary, medieval, or patristic theology perspectives with ethical issues including: animal welfare, artificial intelligence, autonomy and agency, borders and identity, climate change and the environment, criminality, detention, disability studies, feminism, gender and sexuality, genetic engineering, global health, international development, medical ethics, populism, post-colonialism, queer theology, race and ethnicity, refugees and asylum, social justice and equality, socio-economic issues, and substance use. 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

10. 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

11. Theology and Science

Convenors: Mark Harris, Tobias Tanton

Please note that the Theology and Science seminar stream is resting in 2026 and not accepting submissions for this year.

Submission portal

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