Professor of Theology and the Arts - Strand, London, WC2R 2LS

Professor of Theology and the Arts - Strand, London, WC2R 2LS

About us:

The department of Theology and Religious Studies has an international reputation in the area of theology and the arts, with currently five funded postdoctoral researchers in the area, a central role for the arts in its undergraduate and postgraduate curricula, and an internationally renowned Centre for the field (ASK). It has existing partnerships with the National Gallery and the Courtauld Institute. Its MA in Theology, Bible and the Arts is run in partnership with the National Gallery. The role holder will play a leading and strategic role in maintaining and building on this profile and activity. The department has a strong record of research and teaching that bridges the divide between theology and religious studies, with expertise in multiple religious traditions and a wide variety of research methods. As well as having expertise in the arts, the successful candidate would bring Christian theological expertise of a kind that could foster fertile interdisciplinary connections.

About the role:

The role holder will be a scholar of exceptional standing in the field of Christian theology and the arts, leading in its national and international development, and maintaining the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at Kings as an internationally renowned hub. They will provide strategic direction to the research culture of the Department and the University, directing the Centre for Arts & the Sacred at Kings (ASK), and acting as a line-manager for some of the departments research fellows in the field. They will be proactive in sustaining and forging partnerships with external organisations, with a focus on art institutions within London, strengthening and building upon our already existing partnerships with the National Gallery and the Courtauld Institute.

The role holder will produce world-leading research and publications in the field, including through the securing of external research funding.

They will plan, organise and deliver outstanding teaching and assessment across the departments degree programmes, including on a gallery floor in engagement with visual art. Typical modules include The Idea of Beauty in Western Theology and Religion and the Arts in London. They will supervise BA and MA dissertations.

They will maintain a track record of successful PGR completions, and provide leadership in maintaining a strong PGR culture at departmental and faculty levels.

They will be willing to take on senior leadership roles within the Department, Faculty and University and to build outward-facing connections with overseas institutions and bodies in order to enhance the external profile of the University and research area. They will undertake substantial public engagement activities and be willing to develop major research impact projects.

They will contribute to the welfare of students through the personal tutor system. They will support and mentor early career colleagues.

This is a full time post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered an indefinite contract

About you:

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

Essential criteria

1. PhD in relevant subject area
2. Internationally renowned expertise in Christian theology and the arts, including ability to work effectively with the visual arts
3. Excellent research track record, including high quality publications
4. Potential for high level leadership, with ability to lead on partnerships with external organisations
5. Ability to devise, teach, convene and assess undergraduate and postgraduate modules relevant to role, including on a gallery floor, and to lead on curriculum development
6. Potential for major grant capture
7. Commitment to collaborative working and willingness to contribute to the administration of the department, with capacity to line-manage and to mentor early career colleagues

Desirable criteria

1. Ability to converse and collaborate across disciplinary, religious, and cultural boundaries, expanding the range of the Departments existing specialisms
2. Research with potential for impact beyond the academy and higher education

Downloading a copy of our Job Description

Full details of the role and the skills, knowledge and experience required can be found in the Job Description document, provided at the bottom of the page. This document will provide information of what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.