| Job Title | Postdoctoral Research Associate, Racial Justice Project |
| alkalim@queens.ac.uk |
I joined Queen’s in September 2024, bringing with me a passion for exploring the complex intersections of gender, race, and religion within diverse faith communities. My academic journey has taken me from Nigeria to the UK, where I completed a PhD in Sociology of Religion and Theology at Coventry University’s Centre for Peace and Security. My interdisciplinary research focuses on how gender identities are constructed within African Pentecostal churches in the UK with a focus on theology of holiness, culminating in my doctoral thesis, “Becoming the Temple of God: Femininity Construction in African Pentecostal Churches in the UK.”
Despite my academic background, I’ve always seen myself as someone who values practical engagement just as much as theory. I’m deeply committed to fostering inclusive spaces and empowering underrepresented voices, particularly within theological education. I’m especially excited to be part of the Racial Justice Project: Empowering UKME/GMH Theological Educators, where I’ll be working to promote anti-racist practices and support UK Minority Ethnic and Global Majority Heritage theological educators.
My professional experience is a mix of teaching, mentoring, and research, spanning across gender studies, cultural studies, sociology and theology. I’ve had the privilege of guest lecturing on topics like contemporary interpretations of the Bible, Womanist theology, postcolonialism, and feminist approaches to research, which are areas I’m particularly passionate about. What I love most, though, are the rich conversations I get to have about faith, identity, and social justice—those moments where theory meets real life.
Outside of work, you can find me reading non-academic books, writing poetry, taking long walks, engaging in some sports or simply being present in my own silence. I’m always eager to connect with others and learn together, so don’t hesitate to reach out!
Qualifications
PhD in Sociology of Religion & Theology, Coventry University (2023)
MA in Communication, Culture and Media, Coventry University (2018)
BSc in Mass Communication, Caritas University (2011)
Roles at Queen’s
I work as a Postdoctoral Research Associate on the Racial Justice Project, focusing on empowering UKME/GMH theological educators and fostering anti-racist practices in theological education.
Research Interests
My research is grounded in gender studies, race, religion, and the lived experiences of UKME/GMH communities. I’m particularly interested in Womanist Theology, Black Theology, and how religious identity intersects with gender and cultural practices.
