Racial Justice Project: Empowering UKME/GMH theological educators

‘Empowering UK Minority Ethnic/Global Majority Heritage Theological Educators & Enabling Anti-Racist Practice in Theological Education’ is a Queen's project, funded by the Church of England Racial Justice Fund.

Led by our Centre for Black Theology and Centre for Research and Global Partnerships, this project comprises three main areas of work:

  1. A research and empowerment project to disclose, examine and explore the experience of UKME/GMH theological educators with a view to contributing in a major and constructive way to the implementation of anti-racist practices in theological education.
  2.  A strategic series of events and programmes built around the Queen’s ‘platform’ of the Centre for Black Theology (which incorporates the Black Theology Forum) to support and develop existing and emerging UKME/GMH Theological Educators.
  3. A national mentoring programme (based at Queen’s, run primarily in collaboration with the Society for the Study of Theology, though potentially also in relation to SOTS, BNTC, BIAPT and other theological organisations and networks) for UKME/GMH students aspiring to, or already working at, postgraduate level.

Project Research

The project is grounded in a qualitative research project, based at Queen’s, into the experience of UKME/GMH theological educators, in relation to and out of which a series of empowerment initiatives are created to support existing UKME Theological Educators and to develop and build confidence in emerging educators. A consequence of the research, its impact and the practical dissemination of its results will be the beginnings of a clearer strategy for the development and training of all theological educators, both Anglican and in other traditions, in anti-racist practice.

See all research updates

Project Courses and Events

The Racial Justice Empowering project strives to inspire UKME/GMH people to become theological educators in the life of the church through advanced studies in Black and womanist theology. Candidates study alongside UKME/GMH learners from the Church of England and lay and ordained leaders from various churches within the Black Pentecostal church tradition in the UK. They benefit from collaborative, and culturally competent guidance from qualified tutors in contextual and liberation theologies. The postgraduate programme offers an opportunity to develop the skills to identify and confront racist practices in theological education, church, and community. UKME/GMH candidates not wishing to undertake Black and womanist theological studies may be considered for other postgraduate studies at Queen’s.

MA Theology and Transformative Practice

With fully funded scholarships available, the 3-year MA programme is validated by Birmingham Newman University and comprises of taught sessions held online (via Zoom) over 10 Saturdays per academic year (usually, one Saturday per month from 1pm – 6.30pm).

Click below for modules and assessment details.

Typical modules

  • Black Transformative Ministry
  • Transforming communities
  • Research methods for contextual transformative practice
  • Transformative Womanist Theology
  • Dissertation

Assessment

  • complete a total of four modules over two years – usually 60 credits per year (2 modules of 30 credits each)
  • 6,000 words of assessed work for each module
  • complete a dissertation of 15,000 words (in the final year)

Who can apply?

UKME/GMH individuals who are currently lay or ordained ministers working in or for the Church of England and other churches are invited to apply.

Criteria for the MA Scholarship:

  • I have a degree, diploma or equivalent qualification
  • potential to become theological educator
  • potential to inform the life and practices of the Church from Black and Womanist Theological perspectives
  • experience of working for racial justice in the life of the Church
  • experience of ministry in the Church of England

Criteria for the PG Taster Bursary:

  • a degree, or prior theological education to diploma of higher education level, together with relevant previous experience or a professional accreditation such as ordination or equivalent
  • potential to inform the life and practices of the church from Black or Womanist Theological perspectives
  • experience of working for racial justice in the life of the church
  • experience of ministry in the Church of England or other churches

How to apply

The next course starts in January, and we are taking applications now. As part of the admission process, you will complete an application form, and will be invited to attend an interview (online). Please consult our Birmingham Newman Admissions Policy for admissions criteria relating to the postgraduate programmes.

For further information about the programme contact:

  • Director, Centre for Black Theology, Dr Dulcie Dixon McKenzie: mckenzied@queens.ac.uk
  • Deputy Director, Centre for Research & Global Partnerships, Dr Carlton Turner: turnerc@queens.ac.uk

The Empowering project includes a range of events, which can be found on the Black Theology Forum page.

Mentoring Programme

The Empower project aims to support UKME students and established scholars to be better trained and equipped to participate more extensively in the world of theological education in the UK. Details of the mentoring programme will become available here as the project moves into subsequent phases of development. If you would like to register your interest in the mentoring programme, please email us at cbtadmin@queens.ac.uk

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