Job Details
The St Hilda Chair/Reader/Senior Lecturer in Catholic Social Thought and
Practice
Reference Number 3450
Location Durham City
Faculty/Division Arts & Humanities
Department Theology and Religion
Grade Grade 9/10
Position Type Full Time
Contract Type Permanent
Salary (£) 47787 - 57000
Closing Date 6 May 2014
Advert
To be appointed at either Senior Lecturer (Grade 9), Reader (Grade 9), or
Professorial Level (Grade 10)
Salary: £47,787 – £53,765 (Grade 9) or £57,000 plus – (Grade 10)
Durham University’s Department of Theology and Religion, home to the Centre for
Catholic Studies (CCS), is seeking an outstanding scholar-teacher with gifts for
public communication for the St Hilda Post in Catholic Social Thought and Practice
(CSTP), the only such endowed post in a secular university in the world. The
benefactors and partners involved in creating this post, and the University, jointly
desire to provide a substantial platform for a thought-leader who will bring the critical
resources of the Catholic Social Teaching tradition to bear on the most crucial
economic, social, and political justice issues of our age. We are seeking a highly
productive, deeply committed, energetic team-player who can define this unique new
post and fulfil its immense potential. Working in close collaboration with the
Executive and staff of the CCS, the partner bodies of the UK Centre for CSTP and, if
appropriate, the Dean and key staff of Durham University Business School, the St
Hilda Post in Catholic Social Thought and Practice will conduct and, at Grade 10, be
a recognised leader in internationally excellent research in CSTP broadly construed
but with particular expertise in the analysis of global economic systems and/or
related disciplines. Together with the recognised excellence of her/his scholarship,
the St Hilda Post in Catholic Social Thought and Practice will have proven
excellence also in teaching and public communication. For approximately 20% of
her/his total workload s/he will carry out significant practitioner-based research and
outreach work both with the network of NGOs and church communities associated
with the UK Centre for CSTP and, it is hoped, with UK political and business leaders
and select global socio-economic policy fora. In recognition of this significant
responsibility the appointee will not be required to take on other major administrative
tasks within the Department, and will not be asked to serve as Head of Department.
Summary and Background
Durham University is seeking an outstanding scholar-teacher with gifts for public
communication and practitioner engagement for the St Hilda Post in Catholic Social
Thought and Practice (CSTP); a highly productive, deeply committed, energetic
team-player who can define this unique role and fulfil its immense potential.
This newly-endowed post, made possible by generous philanthropic donation and
situated in the secular academy, has been created: a) to focus internationally
excellent academic research and teaching on the critical resources of the Catholic
Social Teaching tradition in relation to the most crucial economic, social, and political
issues of our age; and b) to contribute to a programme of practitioner-based
research and outreach work in partnership with the member bodies of the UK Centre
for CSTP and other appropriate individuals and fora.
CSTP is here broadly understood but at the time of this first appointment particular
emphasis is being placed on the need for significant expertise in the analysis of the
global economic system and/or related disciplines.
Background
The Department of Theology and Religion at Durham University has a long-standing
tradition of outstanding research and is widely recognized as one of the leading
departments in its field. In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise it was ranked
first in the UK, while its teaching quality is shown in its consistently obtaining
exceptionally high rankings in both National Student Surveys and independent
league tables. Its strengths range across Biblical Studies (Old Testament, New
Testament, ancient Judaism, and Biblical languages), Christian theology (Greek and
Latin patristics, the history and theology of late antiquity, the Middle Ages and the
Reformation era, doctrinal and philosophical theology, and theological ethics), and
the study of religion (the anthropology, sociology and psychology of religion). It also
has Centres for Catholic Studies and for Death and Life Studies. The Department
has a welcoming and collegial atmosphere, and is beautifully sited between the
Cathedral and the Castle on the World Heritage Site in the centre of the city of
Durham.
The Centre for Catholic Studies (CCS), established in October 2007, is a unique
entity: a major research and teaching centre explicitly focussed on the study of
Catholic theology, thought, practice, history, and tradition in the heart of the UK
public university system. Since its establishment, the CCS has enjoyed very
significant growth and expansion and is currently pursuing further ambitious
academic development goals. The aspiration is to become globally recognised as
the most significant site in the world for research and teaching in Catholic theology
and Catholic studies in the specifically pluralist, public, secular university system.
The core staff of the CCS currently consists of: Dean and Director (Strategic
Development & Oversight), Deputy Director (Academic Programmes & Outreach),
Assistant Director (Communications & Student Liaison), Administrator, Development
Officer, and the Bede Professor of Catholic Theology. In addition there are several
post-doctoral Fellows; numerous active associate staff members within the
Department of Theology and Religion and various other Durham departments; as
also in partner institutions around the world; and a vibrant postgraduate community.
This newly-endowed St Hilda Post in CSTP, which has been made possible through
generous philanthropic donations, consolidates some long-term interests in political
theology and Catholic Social Teaching within the Department of Theology and
Religion: Prof. Robert Song, Prof. Christopher Insole, Dr Marcus Pound (CCS
Assistant Director) and Prof. Paul D. Murray (CCS Dean & Director). The latter is
currently serving as a Consultor to the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, to
which role it is imagined that the St Hilda Post-holder in CSTP will contribute
substantially and strategically. The establishment of the St Hilda Post in CSTP also
coincides with the arrival in September 2014 of Dr Anna Rowlands as the Deputy
Director of the CCS and Founding-Chair of the UK Centre for CSTP. As such, the St
Hilda Post in Catholic Social Thought and Practice will provide critical mass for a
programme of academic work and practitioner engagement of world significance.
CSTP is a broad field, variously focussed on analysing the most crucial economic,
social, and political issues of our age in the light of the critical resources of the
Catholic Social Teaching tradition and, in turn, contributing to the continuing
development of that tradition. At the time of this first appointment, particular
emphasis is being placed on the need for significant expertise in the analysis of
global economic systems and/or related disciplines, encouraging applications from
those equal to the task of creating systemic change through excellent research and
strategic engagement in this field. As such, whilst being primarily located in the
Department of Theology and Religion, it is anticipated that the Post-holder will also
work closely with relevant colleagues in Durham University Business School.
Durham University Business School (DUBS) has a strong research culture. In
RAE2008 the School’s overall research profile in the UK top 20. The School has
made significant progress since then to strengthen its research through investing in
further staff appointments. It has also undertaken a major £16 million refurbishment
to update its existing buildings, providing a modern and conducive environment for
staff and students.The School’s diversity and international standing is reflected in the
student intake (with over 160 nationalities), triple accreditation (by AMBA, AACSB
and EQUIS), and high rankings in the UK and Europe.
As is standard for academic staff at Durham, the St Hilda Post in Catholic Social
Thought and Practice will be expected to devote approximately 50% of his/her total
work time through the course of the year to research and scholarship, including
pursuing publication at an internationally excellent level, and regularly seeking and
securing external grant income. For appointment at Grade 10, the post-holder will
need to demonstrate an established international reputation as a research leader in
his / her field(s). The post-holder will hold a full standard teaching load at
undergraduate and postgraduate level, but in place of the normal management roles
expected of a senior academic (20%), s/he will, under the auspices of the UK Centre
for CSTP, work towards pursuing, disseminating and applying practitioner-based
research in CSTP in association with NGOs, church communities, UK political and
business leaders, and various global socio-economic policy fora.
The Post-holder will be directly responsible to the Head of Department of Theology
and Religion, but will be expected to work in close co-ordination with the Executive
and staff of the CCS, the partner bodies of the UK Centre for CSTP and, if
appropriate, the Dean and key staff of Durham University Business School. S/he will
be entitled to apply for the Department’s standard one-term-in-seven fully paid
research leave.
Job Outline and Purpose
The main academic functions of the post are:
a) To conduct outstanding research leading to publications of international
significance in the broad field of CSTP – particularly so in relation to the critical
analysis of the global economic system and related disciplines – and to devise
related research projects and associated grant/funding submissions.
b) To act as an academic leader, particularly within the CCS and the UK Centre for
CSTP, by means which may include:
• presenting papers at national and international conferences;
• developing and participating in national and international academic networks;
• giving careful consideration to invitations to serve on national and international
bodies providing opportunity for furthering the impact and profile of her/his research.
c) To attract and supervise high quality research students within the Department of
Theology and Religion and, as appropriate, Durham University Business School
d) To contribute to undergraduate and Master’s teaching within the Department of
Theology and Religion and, as appropriate, Durham University Business School,
possibly including but not limited to:
• collaborating in devising and delivering either a level 2 or a level 3 optional module
in CSTP;
• devising and offering a module within the MA in Christian Theology (Catholic
Studies);
• devising and offering a module within the Masters in Management (Business
Ethics);
• exploring further possibilities at Masters’ level, such as pathways in Political
Theology and CSTP, and the development of distance learning materials
• supervising undergraduate dissertations
e) To give leadership in the public dissemination of the relevant work of the CCS
through such means as:
• the production of a range of publications (including, on occasion, writing for national
Catholic and other publications);
• giving careful consideration to invitations to address church bodies and church
conferences on a national and international basis;
• working in close association with the member organisations of the UK Centre for
CSTP.
f) To share actively in the life and work of the CCS through such means as:
• regular participation in and contribution to the Durham Catholic Theology Research
Seminar, the series of Engagements with CSTP, and other such lectures,
conferences, and public events organised by the CCS;
• participation in the twice-termly CCS team meetings and contributing to the process
of identifying speakers for seminars, lectures, conferences and public events etc.;
• maintaining regular communication with the Dean and Director of the CCS and the
Deputy Director of the CCS & Founding-Chair of the UK Centre for CSTP;
• taking the lead in scoping the rationale and list of speakers for major international
conferences related to his/her own research interests and aimed at extending the
profile and attractiveness of the CCS and the UK Centre for CSTP;
• being an interested advocate for the development of the CCS and wider
programme in CSTP and being prepared, on occasion, to meet with potential donors.
Person Specification
1. PhD in a relevant area (E)
2. A track record, appropriate to career stage, of outstanding research publication
(E). For appointment at Grade 10 this must constitute a very strong and sustained
record of excellent, world-leading publications and established international
recognition as a leading authority in the field.
3. Track record of excellent teaching at all levels (E). For appointment at Grade 10
this must include successful postgraduate supervision.
4. Proven track record of securing significant external research funding (D for Grade
9 and E for Grade 10)
5. Well-developed plans for a future programme of high-quality research in CSTP (E)
6. Excellent administrative and managerial skills (E)
7. Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, in both academic and nonacademic contexts (E)
8. For appointment at Grade 10, the vision and ability to provide academic
leadership within the Department of Theology and Religion and the University (E)
9. Proven ability to establish and maintain networks with church and professional
bodies, at both a national and an international level (E)
10. Ability and willingness to work as a member of a team (E).
11. The applicant’s research has the potential to shape the disciplinary agenda
and/or create public benefit or impact in terms of individual or societal wellbeing or
the economy outside the academic community (E)
12. The applicant supports and has an understanding of the University’s Research
Strategy and Impact Strategy and can show how their research contributes to
delivering one or both of these strategies.(E)
13. For appointment at Reader or Professorial Level (Grade 10) The applicant’s
research has contributed to shaping the disciplinary agenda and/or has created
public benefit in terms of individual or societal wellbeing or the economy outside the
academic Community (E).
14. For appointment at Reader or Professorial Level (Grade 10) the applicant
supports and has an understanding of the University’s Research Strategy and
Impact Strategy and can show how their research contributes to delivering one or
both of these strategies (E).
Additional Information & Interview Information
Applications are particularly welcome from women and black and minority ethnic
candidates, who are under-represented in academic posts in the University.
Contact for academic enquiries:
Prof. Alec Ryrie (Head of Department)
+ 44 + 191-334-3942
alec.ryrie@durham.ac.uk
Alternative Contacts:
Prof. Paul D. Murray (Professor of Systematic Theology & Dean and Director of the
Centre for Catholic Studies)
+ 44 + 191-334-3947
paul.murray@durham.ac.uk
Prof. Geoff Moore (Professor of Business Ethics & Deputy Dean of DUBS)
+ 44 + 191-334-5549
geoff.moore@durham.ac.uk
The Recruitment and Selection Process:
Please apply for this vacancy using the on-line application form.
Applications should be submitted, including the names of three referees and a CV,
by the closing date of 6th May 2014.
1. It is essential that in your written application you give evidence of examples of
proven experience in relation to the selection criteria.
2. A description (of up to 1,000 words) of the research project(s) you aim to pursue in
the next five years should be included in your written application; this may be
incorporated into your letter of application or included as an appendix.
3. You should include a sample of your written work (5,000-7,000 words) with your
application.
Please quote reference 3450 on all applications and correspondence.
Assessment Method:
When they attend for interview, candidates will be asked to give a 20-minute
presentation on an aspect of their current or recent research to a mixed audience of
staff and postgraduate students from the DTR and DUBS. This presentation will be
followed by a formal interview.