2018

School of Divinity news articles from 2018

This page features a list of School of Divinity news articles from 2018.

Thanks to the generous donation of our alumnus Dr Robert Funk, New College now features prominently in the Edinburgh skyline.

We’re delighted to announce that Zachary Purvis’s book, Theology and the University in Nineteenth-Century Germany, was joint winner of the inaugural Best First Book Prize from the Ecclesiastical History Society.

Last Sunday, Linden Bicket joined Richard Holloway and the Scottish critic and author Stuart Kelly, to talk about faith in the work of the novelist Muriel Spark.


In 2016, the Home Secretary launched an independent review into the application of sharia law in England and Wales.

Last September, Stephen Dolan, the School's Undergraduate Representative, launched the New College Society. In this interview, we discuss his plans for the Society:

We’re delighted to announce that Dr Mark Harris has been awarded the Boyle medal.

Wondering about how you will turn your forthcoming PhD thesis into a book? Find out on Friday 23 February, 2.00-4.00 pm, Senate Room

Richard Brash, a PhD candidate in Systematic Theology at the School of Divinity, won the Sir Peter Parker Award Japanese Speech Contest.

Three Edinburgh students won all of the prizes going at the ESSSAT conference.

James L. Cox remembers the life and work of Dr T. Jack Thompson

Emmanuel Chiwetalu Ossai is a first-year PhD student in Christian-Muslim Relations and Islamic Studies. His research focuses on places where Christians and Muslims coexist. He currently examines the causes of communal conflict between Muslims and Christians in Northern Nigeria.

Jessie Ben Fubara-Manuel is an ordained Elder of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria. In this interview, we talk about patriarchy, gender equality and her role in the World Council of Churches.

Our alumni, David Nussbaum (MTh 1981), was appointed Chief Executive of The Elders in October 2016.  Founded by Nelson Mandela, The Elders is a group of about a dozen leading international figures committed to causes of peace, justice and human rights.

Announcing David’s appointment, Kofi Annan (Chair of the Elders) described him as “a real leader in international development.”  David agreed to an interview about his new post

The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) has announced Dr Matthew Novenson as the winner of this year’s Thomas Reid Medal for early career contributions in humanities and social sciences.

Dr Linden Bicket's book, George Mackay Brown and the Scottish Catholic Imagination, is one of three chosen by the Ecclesiastical History Society.

On 12 August 2018, Professor David Fergusson opened the Edinburgh Festival of the Sacred Arts at St Vincent's Church, as guest preacher.

Professor Mona Siddiqui, Dr Arkotong Longkumer and Dr David Grumett have become the latest Divinity staff to be awarded funding for their research.

Our staff have been in the news again this summer, speaking on television, radio, in newspapers and through digital media.

Dr Steven Sutcliffe and Dr Chris Cotter have co-organised the first joint conference of the British Association for the Study of Religions and the Irish Society for the Academic Study of Religions.

Professor Mona Siddiqui will join a distinguished panel at the Scottish Parliament, 6 September 2018, for the John P Mackintosh Memorial Debate.

Professor Mona Siddiqui will be guest speaker at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Tuesday 9 October 2018.

After 10 years as Principal of New College, Professor David Fergusson reflects on past highlights and future opportunities as he hands over to Professor Susan Hardman Moore.

Interview with new Head of School, Professor Helen Bond.

Professor Timothy Lim will give a lecture on his current research, the Earliest Commentary on the Prophecy of Habakkuk, at the W. F. Albright Institute of Archaeological Research, Jerusalem, 25 October 2018.

An information session will be held, Thursday 11 October 2018, for potential and existing PhD students who may be eligible for Arts and Humanities Research Council (ARHC) Scholarships.

Professor Brian Stanley has been interviewed about his new book, Christianity in the Twentieth Century: A World History, by Professor Crawford Gribben of Queen’s University Belfast.

Professor Peter Mathieson, Principal, University of Edinburgh, spoke about Divinity’s strong track record in student satisfaction during a visit to the School, 9 October 2018.

“Frontier-crashing" Head of School, Professor Helen Bond, was interviewed by BBC Radio Scotland, 14 October 2018.

Among African Christian congregations, growth is normal. Dr Emma Wild-Wood discussed the variety of African expressions of Christianity with church, youth and mission thinkers in Sheffield.

Dr David Grumett will lead St John's Theology Symposium 2018, Church of St John the Evangelist, Princes Street, Edinburgh, 10am-4pm Saturday 10 November 2018.

Information sessions for new and existing postgraduate students.

The façade and archway of New College will be bathed in red light each night until Armistice Day, 11 November 2018, to mark the centenary of World War 1.

As New College celebrates 175 years of teaching, its Principal - Professor Susan Hardman Moore - discusses her vision for the College and her call to serve the Church.

On the anniversary of the Armistice which ended World War 1, the poetry of one New College alumnus brings home the savage cost of conflict.

Postgraduates are invited to submit papers by 19 November 2018 for a workshop in Edinburgh which will explore major themes and approaches in Islamic and Christian theologies of gratitude.

Professor Helen Bond teamed up recently with Professor Joan Taylor (King's College, London) to speak to over 500 people at St Paul's about the role of women in early Christianity.

Congratulations to all our students graduating today - and to our latest Honorary graduate.

Dr Alison Jack has co-edited a collection of essays about the influence of the Bible as a ‘murderous text’ in modern day media.

Boyle Medal winner Dr Mark Harris suggests that scientific explanations for Bible stories do not disprove miracles so much as offer new retellings.

The School has been shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic death of Jake Hale, who was in his third year of an MA in Philosophy and Theology.

Professor Brian Stanley’s 'Christianity in the Twentieth Century' has been chosen as one of the books most likely to shape evangelical life, thought and culture.

In November, Emmanuel Kwame Tettey became the first student to graduate from the University of Edinburgh with a Masters degree by research in Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations