Cadbury Centre people

The Edward Cadbury Centre for the Public Understanding of Religion is led by a management team within the Department of Theology and Religion at the University of Birmingham, but it is also able to draw upon the academic and technical resources of a variety of other units within the University. 

Centre Leadership

Professor Andrew Davies

Professor Andrew Davies

Professor of Public Religion
Director, Edward Cadbury Centre

Department of Theology and Religion

Although my interests are varied, I am fundamentally a biblical scholar and literary critic who works on the reception and impact of the Bible, particularly in the contexts of its influence on society, its handling by Pentecostals and Evangelicals globally and its interpretation in music and the arts. My PhD, in the field of biblical ethics, provoked my interest in the role of the Bible as a ...

Centre Fellows

Professor Nicholas Adams

Professor Nicholas Adams

Professor of Philosophical Theology

Department of Theology and Religion

My two principal areas of research are the impact of German Idealism on Christian theology together with the investigation of philosophical problems in inter-religious engagement.

Dr Husna Ahmad

Dr Husna Ahmad

Chief Executive - Global One 2015
Honorary Fellow, Edward Cadbury Centre

Department of Theology and Religion

As CEO of Global One 2015, my role is to ensure our commitment to international development is in line with our broader goal; to develop a world where women of all beliefs are empowered to make their own choices and transform their communities, inspired by an understanding of faith and cultural perspectives.

I believe that now more than ever the Cadbury Centre has a vital role to play in peace ...

Sughra Ahmed

Sughra Ahmed

Honorary Fellow, Edward Cadbury Centre

Department of Theology and Religion

I am a forward-thinking, creative and impact driven professional with 20+ years of experience working deeply with communities, government, academic institutions, profit and non-profit companies.

Rev Dr Carver L Anderson

Rev Dr Carver L Anderson

Cofounder and Executive Director of the Bringing Hope Charity
Honorary Fellow, Edward Cadbury Centre

Department of Theology and Religion

I am a social scientist and practical theologian, engaging with individuals, families and communities associated or impacted by crime and violence.

Dr Josef Boehle

Dr Josef Boehle

Fellow and Director of Peacebuilding Programmes, Edward Cadbury Centre

School of Philosophy, Theology and Religion

My work and research seeks to make a contribution towards improved relations between diverse cultures, religions and civilisations and to present relevant responses to today’s search for a fairer and more peaceful world community. Issues around religion and politics, globalisation, peacebuilding, reconciliation and forgiveness are central to my scholarly work. I am working on projects with ...

Dr Katherine Brown

Dr Katherine Brown

Reader in Religion and Global Security

Department of Theology and Religion

Over the past decade I have been researching the role of gender and religion in relation to Islamic extremism, and have an interest in gender-mainstreaming countering and preventing violent extremism efforts. My current work focuses on gender, religion and resilience in global governance efforts in relation to terrorism. This is part of my larger project, Humanities for Resilience,which is ...

Dr Rebecca Catto

Dr Rebecca Catto

Assistant Professor, Kent State University, USA
Honorary Fellow, Edward Cadbury Centre

Department of Theology and Religion

I am a qualitative sociologist specializing in contemporary religious-secular relations with a strong commitment to engagement beyond the academy.

Professor Jocelyne Cesari

Professor Jocelyne Cesari

Professor of Religion and Politics

Department of Theology and Religion

I joined Birmingham in September 2015 as Professor of Religion and Politics, working primarily in the Edward Cadbury Centre for the Public Understanding of Religion, where I have particular responsibility for oversight of the Centre's research agenda.

My role is to bridge the gap between religious studies and social sciences by investigating the interactions between religion and politics across ...

Dr Keith Chappell

Dr Keith Chappell

Honorary Fellow, Edward Cadbury Centre

Department of Theology and Religion

I am a qualitative sociologist of religion and biologist with a special interest in conflict resolution and religion.  My research interests include science and religion, family conflict and community conflict resolution.

Dr Iqtidar Cheema

Dr Iqtidar Cheema

Director, Institute for Leadership and Community Development, UK
Honorary Fellow, Edward Cadbury Centre

Department of Theology and Religion

I am an analyst, human rights and inter-faith activist. I am very passionate about the work of the Cadbury Centre and wish to contribute to the activities of the Centre. 

Professor Francis Davis

Professor Francis Davis

Professor of Public Policy and Communities
Director of Policy, Edward Cadbury Centre

Department of Theology and Religion

I am a social and political scientist who works at the intersection of business, civil society, and central and local governments. I am especially keen to hear from others interested in globalising cities driving local growth and inclusion or active internationally, island/landlocked economies; cities, regions and organisations facing complex community challenges.

My recent projects focus on ...

Revd. Dr Alison Gray

Revd. Dr Alison Gray

Consultant Psychiatrist, Hereford County Hospital, UK
Honorary Fellow, Edward Cadbury Centre

Department of Theology and Religion

I am a consultant psychiatrist, leading the Mental Health Liaison team in the Hereford County Hospital. I also have a long interest in religion, spirituality and health and I am an ordained Anglican church minister.

Dr Juhi Gupta

Dr Juhi Gupta

Assistant Professor at the Advanced Centre for Women’s Studies, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh
Honorary Fellow, Edward Cadbury Centre

Department of Theology and Religion

I currently work as an Assistant Professor of Women’s Studies at Aligarh University, engaged in teaching and research supervision there, and also co-direct the Cadbury Centre’s Women and Religion in India project.

Paul Gutteridge

Paul Gutteridge

Founder of Track 2 Talks
Honorary Fellow, Edward Cadbury Centre

Department of Theology and Religion

I am the founding member of ‘Track 2 Talks’ and actively engaged in public and discrete dialogue with those who hold different religious, ideological and political views. 

Jeremy Gwee

Jeremy Gwee

Director, Principal Corporate Trainer and Principal Business Coach
Honorary Fellow, Edward Cadbury Centre

Department of Theology and Religion

I am the Institute of Training and Occupational Learning (ITOL) representative for Asia, Principal Corporate Trainer, and Principal Business Coach for Asia and Australia. Prior to joining the Institute, I was the Country Chief Operating Officer for HSBC in Singapore.

Paul Hackwood

Chief Executive Officer: Toc H

Department of Theology and Religion

I am currently CEO of TocH a faith-based social action charity. I am also an Anglican Priest  and am now committed to building the common good through faith based and civil society organisations. 

Dr Sarah Hall

Dr Sarah Hall

Reader in Religious Education
Senior Tutor and Senior Fellow of the HEA

School of Education

Sarah is passionate about the role that outstanding Religious Education has in shaping young people's lives and equipping them for the modern world as reflective and tolerant thinkers. She has an extensive vocabulary of teaching and learning strategies which inspire teacher trainees and pupils in school to enquire and respond to religion in a creative and reflective way whilst developing ...

Dr Elizabeth Harris

Dr Elizabeth Harris

Honorary Fellow, Edward Cadbury Centre

Department of Theology and Religion

I have been committed to inter-religious understanding and encounter for over thirty years, both in Britain and in countries where religion has been implicated in violent conflict. My academic teaching and writing has been informed both by involvement in the public sphere, and practical work within the Christian churches and voluntary organisations. I am currently President of the UK ...

Katie Harrison

Katie Harrison

Director, ComRes Faith Research Centre
Honorary Fellow, Edward Cadbury Centre

Department of Theology and Religion

I am the Director of the ComRes Faith Research Centre which is a specialist centre of expertise gathering data and insights about religion and belief in the UK and Europe.

Liz Hingley

Liz Hingley

Associated Artist, University College London,UK
Honorary Fellow, Edward Cadbury Centre

Department of Theology and Religion

I am a photographer and anthropologist who works within academic contexts to develop the visual side of research and initiate creative dialogue between academic research and the wider public.

Harriet Hoffler

Harriet Hoffler

Honorary Fellow, Edward Cadbury Centre
Programme Director, Wilton Park

Department of Theology and Religion

For over a decade, I have worked as a researcher examining religious minorities and freedom of religion and belief, acting as a consultant for NGOs, Research Institutes, Academic Institutions and Governmental bodies. I have provided legal advice and high impact research outputs to the Equality and Human Rights Commission and ODI and have extensive international and national experience bridging ...

Kaleem Hussain

Kaleem Hussain

The Oxford Foundation Representative for West Midlands & Buckinghamshire
Honorary Fellow, Edward Cadbury Centre

Department of Theology and Religion

I am a multi-disciplinary change management consultant and geo-political observer and analyst with a keen interest in the intersection and role of religion in public life, politics and International Relations.

Imam Monawar Hussain

Imam Monawar Hussain

Founder, The Oxford Foundation, UK
Muslim Tutor at Eton College, Windsor, UK
Honorary Fellow, Edward Cadbury Centre

Department of Theology and Religion

I am interested in the promotion of religious harmony by educating young people and the wider public in different religious beliefs and cultures to deepen their understanding of  distinctive features and common ground in order to promote good relations between persons of different faiths and to challenge extremism in all its manifestations.

Professor Paul Jackson

Professor Paul Jackson

Professor of African Politics
Director of Research for the College of Social Sciences

International Development Department

Paul Jackson is a political economist working predominantly on conflict and post-conflict reconstruction. A core area of interest is decentralisation and governance and it was his extensive experience in Sierra Leone immediately following the war that led him into the area of conflict analysis and security sector reform. He was Director of the GFN-SSR and is currently an advisor to the Governance ...

Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner

Honorary Fellow, Edward Cadbury Centre

Department of Theology and Religion

I am the former Senior Rabbi to Reform Judaism. I love congregations, especially working with young people. I’ve loved the blessing of having taught Jews, Christians and Palestinians both in London and Jerusalem.

Professor Jagbir Jhutti-Johal

Professor Jagbir Jhutti-Johal

Professor of Sikh Studies

Department of Theology and Religion

I have been an academic at the University of Birmingham since 2002.  My teaching and research focuses on Sikh theology, inter-faith dialogue, gender inequality, Sikh identity in the diasporic community, racialization and mistaken identity and other contested issues that confront the Sikh community nationally and globally.  My work in the Edward Cadbury Centre for the Public ...

Dr Krish Kandiah

Dr Krish Kandiah

Chair of the Adoption and Special Guardianship Leadership Board
Honorary Fellow, Edward Cadbury Centre

Department of Theology and Religion

Dr Kandiah is a social entrepreneur with a vision to help solve some of society’s seemingly intractable problems through building partnerships across civil society, faith communities, government and philanthropy.

Dr Jeremy H. Kidwell

Dr Jeremy H. Kidwell

Senior Lecturer in Theological Ethics

Department of Theology and Religion

I am an interdisciplinary scholar: trained in ethics and constructive theology with a background in the humanities, particularly literature and music.

Dr Hannah Mather

Dr Hannah Mather

Academic Researcher and Professional Coach
Honorary Fellow, Edward Cadbury Centre

Department of Theology and Religion

I am a researcher of faith and spirituality in contemporary society. I am also a certified coach, working with clients in areas relating to professional identity. The uniqueness of who I am and what I bring comes from having spent equal time in the academic and professional services sectors.

Dr Philip McCarthy

Dr Philip McCarthy

Honorary Fellow, Edward Cadbury Centre

Department of Theology and Religion

I was a GP in Bristol and held numerous leadership positions within the NHS. I was Director and then Chair of Avon Local Medical Committee and a Non-Executive Director of GP Care.

In 2014-15 I undertook an MSc in global ethics at Birmingham University, writing my dissertation on the ethical issues that assisted dying raises for GPs.

In December 2015 I took up the role of CEO of Caritas Social ...

Dr Dan McClellan

Dr Dan McClellan

Honorary Fellow, Edward Cadbury Centre

Department of Theology and Religion

I am a public-facing scholar of the Bible and religion focusing on conceptualizations of deity, scripture, and religious identity.

Dr Grace Milton

Dr Grace Milton

Honorary Fellow, Edward Cadbury Centre

Department of Theology and Religion

I am a practical theologian currently working as a lecturer at Birmingham Christian College (Selly Oak). Previously, I enjoyed time as a Postgraduate student, Teaching Fellow and Research Fellow at the University of Birmingham.

Professor Candida Moss

Professor Candida Moss

Edward Cadbury Professor of Theology

Department of Theology and Religion

My work primarily focuses on a wide array of ideas about the body and power in early Christianity. This included disability, martyrdom, death, suffering, the afterlife, and the work of enslaved workers in the production of the New Testament. I have additional interests in religion and public life, the Bible and education, and cultural heritage. In addition to my academic work, I am a ...

Revd Dr Sharon Prentis

Revd Dr Sharon Prentis

Intercultural Mission Enabler & Dean of Black & Minority Ethnic Affairs
Honorary Fellow, Edward Cadbury Centre

Department of Theology and Religion

My interest in all aspects of community life stems from growing up in an urban area. I am concerned with what enables people to thrive emotionally, physically and spiritually.

Dr Tanya Riches

Dr Tanya Riches

Honorary Senior Research Fellow, Edward Cadbury Centre

Department of Theology and Religion

 I am a researcher based in Sydney, Australia. My work has crossed a number of areas between its main disciplines of religion/theology, development studies, and ethnography/anthropology. 

My theological work is located in missiology, and has centred on global, Pentecostal and feminist theologies. I have worked within megachurches and addressed various issues relevant to these ...

Sophie Ross

Sophie Ross

Deputy Head of Political and Bilateral Affairs Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)
Honorary Fellow, Edward Cadbury Centre

Department of Theology and Religion

I am a British Jewish civil servant and diplomat, currently based in New Delhi. I have a keen interest in the role of religion in public life, and the intersection of religion, policy-making and diplomacy.

Dr Linda Sauer Bredvik

Dr Linda Sauer Bredvik

Honorary Fellow, Edward Cadbury Centre

Department of Theology and Religion

I am a sociolinguist, researching at the intersection of language and multifaith encounters. I want to understand how people talk about what they believe with those who believe differently.

Raaj Shamji

Raaj Shamji

Senior Development Manager, Birmingham City University
Honorary Fellow, Edward Cadbury Centre

Department of Theology and Religion

Raaj plays a leading role in unlocking the talent of West Midlands communities making ground breaking contributions across business, voluntary sector, with the Home Office and DWP and in higher education, where he holds a senior role focused on university contributions to local growth.

A chartered management accountant, he has shared speaking platforms with those from industry, parliament, and ...

Jasvir Singh

Jasvir Singh

Chair of City Sikhs
Honorary Fellow, Edward Cadbury Centre

Department of Theology and Religion

I am the Chair of City Sikhs, a leading national Sikh body with over 10,000 members which provides a voice for progressive Sikhs in the UK. I am also the founder and Chair of the British Sikh Report, producing robust data about British Sikhs on an annual basis.

Dr Simran Jeet Singh

Dr Simran Jeet Singh

Henry R. Luce Post-Doctoral Fellow for Religion in International Affairs at NYU’s Center for Religion and Media
Honorary Fellow, Edward Cadbury Centre

Department of Theology and Religion

I am an educator, writer, activist, and scholar who believes deeply that love, equity, and justice are intertwined. I enjoy connecting with diverse audiences on a variety of topics, including civil rights, diversity, inclusion, religion, racism, and hate violence.

Canon Dr Andrew Smith

Canon Dr Andrew Smith

Director of Interfaith Relations for the Bishop of Birmingham
Honorary Fellow, Edward Cadbury Centre

Department of Theology and Religion

I am interested in how people of different faiths relate to one another, and how this is worked out in everyday life.

Selina Stone

Selina Stone

Lecturer in Political Theology at St Mellitus College

Department of Theology and Religion

My research and publications sit within the fields of theological ethics and public religion, with particular interest in the contributions both make to addressing social inequalities.

Father Terry Tastard

Father Terry Tastard

Catholic priest; tutor in seminary; writer
Honorary Fellow, Edward Cadbury Centre

Department of Theology and Religion

I understand Christian ministry to be inseparable from communication. As a priest and as a writer I try to make the past speak to the present.

Professor Bryan S. Turner

Professor Bryan S. Turner

Honorary Professor at Potsdam University
and Director of the Centre for Social Citizenship, Religious Diversity and Social Pluralism at Potsdam
Distinguished Honorary Fellow, Edward Cadbury Centre

Department of Theology and Religion

My research interests include sociology of religion, social and political theory, and citizenship and human rights.

Michael Wear

Michael Wear

Founder, Public Square Strategies LLC
Honorary Fellow, Edward Cadbury Centre

Department of Theology and Religion

I am a consultant based in Washington, D.C.  who helps Christian leaders and organizations navigate a rapidly changing religious, political and cultural landscape.

Dr George Wilkes

Dr George Wilkes

Director, Project on Religion and Ethics in the Making of War and Peace
Honorary Fellow, Edward Cadbury Centre

Department of Theology and Religion

I join research specialisms in religion, ethics and conflict in contemporary international affairs with historical interests in Jewish history, Middle Eastern affairs, and interfaith relations.