ONE PhD Studentship on Contextual Safeguarding in Catholic Church Contexts

Funding for: 3 years (pro rata, subject to satisfactory academic progress), full-fees (UK/Home level), plus a maintenance allowance at the UK Research Council’s national rate                          

Hours: Full-time or Part-time

The Department of Theology and Religion at Durham University is inviting applications from individuals to undertake a fully funded 3-year PhD on the topic of Contextual Safeguarding in Catholic Church Contexts. The post is jointly hosted between the Centre for Catholic Studies (CCS) and the new Global Centre for Contextual Safeguarding (Department of Sociology), both based at Durham University.  The post is funded by Porticus.

The successful candidate will undertake a PhD programme related closely to the work being carried out in the Conversations, Culture and Communion project based at the Centre for Catholic Studies:

https://www.dur.ac.uk/research/institutes-and-centres/catholic-studies/research/boundary-breaking-/conversations-culture-and-communion/

Research Environment:

The Centre for Catholic Studies (CCS) is the UK’s first permanent centre devoted to pioneering research and teaching in Catholic theology and Catholic studies in the public academy. The CCS is based in the Department of Theology and Religion at Durham University, which offers an unparalleled environment for postgraduate study of Theology and Religion, having been ranked no. 1 in research quality in the 2008 RAE and 2014 REF.  The CCS’s academic staff members provide a wide range of expertise for postgraduate students interested in all areas of Catholic theology and Catholic studies. As well as academic excellence, the Department also aims to provide students with access to world-class study facilities and a range of training and professional-development opportunities that are second to none, including teaching and research assistantships.

Eligibility and how to apply:

The ideal candidate must have:

• Honours degree, preferably (though not essentially) in one of the following subjects: theology, philosophy, sociology, youth and community work. Ordinarily a minimum degree grade of 2:1 would expected.
• A good Masters degree in a related subject area
• An interest in the faith life and development of children and young people
• An active concern for renewed theology and practice within the Catholic Church, especially relating to children and young people

It is also desirable that they have experience of Catholic Church life and / or Christian ministry among children and young people 

Full details, including how to apply, can be found at: https://www.dur.ac.uk/research/institutes-and-centres/catholic-studies/about-us/news/durham-university-phd-studentship-on-contextual-safeguarding-in-catholic-church-contexts/

The closing date for completed applications is Friday 4 July 2025.

Contact for any queries: Prof. Clare Watkins, clare.watkins@durham.ac.uk 

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