Place, pilgrimage, culture and performance

Religious lives are lived in specific localities, from busy urban neighbourhoods to rural and coastal communities. We are particularly interested in historical or ethnographic research oriented towards experiences of locality and the development of spatial approaches to religion. Current research in this area includes ethnographic study in Glastonbury, work on urban/religious effects among social movements, research on pilgrimage and research about shifts in the sites of religion in the cities.

We have considerable expertise in the performance of religions and their manifestation in material and visual cultures. This dovetails with our interest in lived and vernacular forms of religion and non-religion – i.e., we focus on what people do, how they do it, and the sensuality of the materials they use. Current research in this area includes a project exploring Rastafari in London and Rome.

We welcome applications in areas that correspond with current staff research interests. We look for detailed and well-thought-out proposals which set out specific research questions and outline the originality of your topic or approach. We encourage you to discuss your ideas informally before applying.

Entry requirements

An MA in religious studies or related discipline. Each application is considered on its own merits. If you are not a UK citizen, you may need to prove your knowledge of English. 

Potential supervisors

• Dr Chris Cotter
• Dr John Maiden
• Dr Suzanne Newcombe
• Dr Liudmila Nikanorova
• Dr Maria Nita
• Dr David Robertson
• Dr Stefanie Sinclair
• Dr Paul-François Tremlett
• Professor John Wolffe

Fees and funding

Some of our research students are funded via the Open-Oxford-Cambridge Doctoral Training Partnership and The Grand Union Doctoral Training Partnership; others are self-funded.

For detailed information about fees and funding, visit Fees and studentships.

To see current funded studentship vacancies across all research areas, see Current studentships.

Links

• Religious Studies at The Open University
• RS blog