Contemporary religions and spiritualities

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Introduction
Potential research projects
Potential supervisors
Further information

An image to illustrate studying contemporary religions and spiritualities with The Open University

The Religious Studies Department’s expertise in a range of contemporary religions and spiritualities is extensive, including interests in Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Paganism, indigenous religions, New Age and Judaism. Our research concerned with vernacular, popular and civil religious phenomena is valued internationally. We are particularly interested in the lived realities of religions and in the ways in which religions engage with wider social, political and cultural activities, including those labelled ‘popular’ or ‘vernacular’. Current research students in this area are researching religiously-motivated environmentalism, religious and social change, religious involvement in politics and education, diversity within specific religions, religious material and performance cultures.

We welcome applications in areas which correspond to 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. If you would like to discuss your ideas informally before submitting an application, please contact the department.