PDRA in Catholic Social Thought and Practice

The Department of Theology and Religion at Durham University, in partnership with the Society of the Sacred Heart, invites applications for a 36-month Fellowship in Catholic Social Thought and Practice.

The successful applicant will be expected to work on a research topic of their own choosing in the area of Catholic Social Thought and Practice (CSTP) as agreed with the Director of the Centre for Catholic Studies and Professor Anna Rowlands. Proposals could include exploring fundamental philosophical/theological/anthropological questions pertaining to the development of CST, or exploring CST in relation to specific topics, such as work/employment, human migration, incarceration and the criminal justice system, democracy/populism, Artificial Intelligence, integral ecology, war/peace, or the structural response to poverty. (This is an indicative not an exhaustive list of possible topics.)

The post is designed for further development of an early career scholar in both traditional academic patterns (research, publication and where appropriate for the successful candidate’s career development, the possibility for some teaching), and also in working in a more outward facing mode offering theological accompaniment to a relevant organisation, association or movement that has direct practitioner interests in the area of CSTP.

The successful candidate will work in close collaboration with Professor Anna Rowlands, the St Hilda Professor in Catholic Social Thought and Practice, and will have a link to the Centre for Catholic Social Thought and Practice ( ).

The post holder will be fully involved in the life and work of Durham University’s Centre for Catholic Studies (CCS) through such means as: regular participation in and contribution to the Durham Catholic Theology Research Seminar, and other such lectures, conferences, and public events organised by the CCS; participation in CCS Research Conversations, and the annual Friends’ and Benefactors’ event.

This post is fixed term for 36 months; the funding is available from 1 September 2025 for this fixed period only; the project is time limited and will end on 31 August 2028.

Successful applicants will, ideally, be in post by 1 October 2025.

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.

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