The Queen’s Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education
Principal: The Revd Canon Dr David Hewlett
Somerset Road Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2QH
Telephone 0121 454 1527 Facsimile 0121 454 8171
email enquire@queens.ac.uk www.queens.ac.uk
Research Fellow (0.5 fte)
in the Queen’s Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education
Research has been central to the Queen’s Foundation for more than 15 years, both through
particular research projects and through collaborative programmes which have enabled doctoral
researchers to undertake full time and part time programmes supervised by members of staff at
Queen’s. Over the last five years, there have been typically between 30 and 40 doctoral
researchers at any one time, many of whom are serving ministers in the churches, both lay and
ordained, full and part time. Putting research and scholarship at the heart of Queen’s is a key
strategic objective of the institution and, in order to fulfil this objective, we have recently entered
a new and creative relationship with the VU – the Free University of Amsterdam, thereby
establishing a partnership with one of the largest and most vibrant of theological faculties in
Europe, and enabling potential supervisory arrangements between Queen’s staff and 35
Professors of the VU faculty, as well as other potential forms of research collaboration.
In this context we wish to appoint a new Research Fellow to join an existing team to help lead
and develop the work of Research at Queen’s.
Our overall aim is to build a diverse team of scholars and researchers who will continue to embed
scholarship at the heart of Queen’s. To this end, the new Research Fellow will enhance the
current team of Research Fellows: the Director of Research, Dr Nicola Slee, and our link Professor
in Amsterdam, Dirk-Martin Grube. This team works closely with the Academic Director – Dr Dave
Allen – and the Principal as we embed research and scholarship at the heart of the Foundation.
We are looking for a new colleague who can either complement the existing research specialisms
within the team or to deepen them. Dr Slee is well known for her research and publications in the
fields of feminist theology and in the faith lives of women and girls. She brings a particular focus
on empirical, qualitative research. Professor Grube is a philosophical theologian and Dr Allen is a
biblical scholar. The wider staff team represents a broad range of research interests and
specialisms, and Queen’s boasts a high level of research publications and scholarly activity.
The Research Fellow will take their full part alongside the rest of the team to realise the goal to
embed research and scholarship at the heart of the Foundation. This will happen in three
particular ways:
 Enhancing the research and scholarship that is undertaken at Queen’s by being part of
supervisory teams for PhD students, contributing to research seminars and other activities,
and undertaking research that leads to publication or other forms of dissemination. We
anticipate that about one day a week will be given to these activities.
 Providing administrative and practical support for the Director of Research in the work she
does to mentor and oversee those who supervise PhD students, organising training and
development gatherings for them, ensuring good lines of communication with them;
helping to organise the planned annual residential research gathering in Amsterdam;
dealing with enquiries and those in the early stages of the admissions process; be a
member of the Queen’s Research Committee and share in its responsibilities for
overseeing the promotion of research, recruitment of doctoral students, admissions and
The Queen’s Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education is a company limited by guarantee, registration number 5511503.
Registered Office: 14 Somerset Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2QH
Registered Charity No. 1111892
Quality Assurance and Enhancement matters. We anticipate that no more than one day a
week will be given to these tasks.
 Develop opportunities to engage in research projects commissioned or sought by churches
and other bodies, including securing external funding to support imaginative and high
quality research projects. We anticipate that about half a day a week will be given to this
task.
The post is supported by a grant and therefore the appointment is limited for a five year period.
However, success in gaining research project funding may enable the post to be sustained beyond
this period.
We are willing to be flexible about the pattern of work, recognising that this may need to work
alongside other responsibilities. Possible patterns could be to concentrate time over several days
each week, or to have a full week at Queen’s on alternate weeks, or to offer 5 half days a week. It
is important that the Research Fellow can build and sustain good quality relationships with the
Research Team and with other academic and administrative colleagues so it is essential that the
post holder spends regular time at Queen’s in order for this to be a base for their work.
We therefore seek someone who:
 Is a recognised scholar and theologian or who can demonstrate their potential as a scholar,
for example by publications, membership of scholarly associations and other scholarly
activities.
 Will enhance the profile of research and scholarship at Queen’s through their specialist
interests, publications and scholarly activities.
 Has a PhD in a theological discipline and is able to supervise PhD students. Prior
experience of this is desirable.
 Has the administrative skills and aptitude to support the Director of Research.
 Is committed to theological education in the churches’ institutions and to the place of
scholarship and research within them.
 Has the vision, skill and capacity to develop new opportunities and programmes, including
attracting and developing research projects. A track record in gaining funding for research
projects is desirable.
 Is a person of integrity and wisdom who can build and sustain partnerships and collegial
relationships, especially in a place of diversity.
 Is in sympathy with and willing to engage actively in the life and worship of a diverse
ecumenical institution which promotes critical, progressive enquiry and learning.
For an informal conversation about the post you are welcome to email Dr Dave Allen
(d.allen@queens.ac.uk)
Terms and Conditions:
The terms of the contract are according to the Lichfield Scale. The stipend/salary for 2014-15 is
£24,420 pro rata. A housing allowance (currently up to £7,400) may be provided pro rata. Other
benefits include free meals in the dining room when the kitchens are open on working days. The
pension for ordained staff is normally provided through the respective church pension plan; for lay
staff contributions are made to an appropriate plan as agreed with the Chief Finance and
Operations Officer. Holidays: 30 days plus statutory holidays.
The Queen’s Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education is a company limited by guarantee, registration number 5511503.
Registered Office: 14 Somerset Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2QH
Registered Charity No. 1111892
Background information
The Queen’s Foundation has a long history in Birmingham. Founded in the early years of Queen
Victoria the College was not only one of the first Anglican Theological Colleges in England, but it
also early in its life training physicians (doctors) alongside clergy. In 1970 Queen’s took another
radical step as it became an ecumenical college, bringing Methodists and Anglicans into a single
institution. Since 2000 the Queen’s College became the Queen’s Foundation to reflect its rapidly
growing diverse range of activities. These primarily consist of:
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Ministerial formation, education and training through the Centre for Ministerial Formation.
The Church of England and the Methodist Church are the primary sponsors of candidates
who train full-time or part-time, residentially and non-residentially.
Research and Doctoral programmes of study.
Independent theological study for a wide range of self-funding students in the Centre for
Discipleship and Theology.
A professional development programme focused around taught post graduate
programmes of learning.
A Global Christianity programme which builds partnerships primarily with theological
institutions in the global south.
The development of ministries and leadership in black majority churches.
The range of partnerships and areas of activity mean that the Foundation welcomes a wide range
of learners. Currently there are over 400 registered students and the student body is diverse in
terms of denomination, nationality, ethnicity and theological conviction. The Foundation places a
high premium on this diversity, believing that we learn in and through our encounter with those
who are different, and that our diversity is a glimpse of the beauty and dignity of all people in the
Body of Christ.
The Foundation has an excellent academic staff team which is one of the largest in any theological
institution. There are currently 22 academic staff, most of whom are full-time. The academic staff
team reflects and embodies the diversity of the Foundation as a whole, including a wide range of
theological ‘schools’.
Vision statement
The Queen’s Foundation is dedicated to excellence in theological education and personal
formation by:
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Nurturing and equipping Christians in their discipleship
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Preparing people for mission and ministry in lay and ordained roles
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Resourcing research that serves the mission of God in the world
We celebrate unity in diversity, in a community that is international, multi-cultural, and
ecumenical. We aim to enable Christians to deepen their spiritual life, to grow in a faith that is
generous, enquiring, deeply rooted and creative in thought and practice, and to be passionate for
God’s work in God’s world.
The Queen’s Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education is a company limited by guarantee, registration number 5511503.
Registered Office: 14 Somerset Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2QH
Registered Charity No. 1111892