About the Centre for Religion &
Political Culture

 

The Centre for Religion and Political Culture is co-directed by Professor Graham Ward and Dr. Michael Hoelzl and currently hosts a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Dr. Timothy Stanley. Members of the CRPC undertake research in the field of Religion and Politics: the complex history of their relationship. The research undertaken does not issue from any one particular political or religious standpoint and politics is understood broadly, from the regulation of social relations on a micro- and macro-level to the historical development of political concepts.

The two co-directors of the centre, Professor Graham Ward and Dr. Michael Hoelzl edit a book series with Continuum designed to disseminate research work undertaken and to provide a publishing platform for junior as well as senior academics whose research is in religion and political culture. See Continuum Studies in Religion and Political Culture for more information.

Research Themes 2009-2012

  1. Democracy and Dictatorship
  2. Theology of Sovereignty
  3. The Structural Transformation of Believing
  4. The Religious and Political Boundaries of Europe

Research Outputs 2005-2009

  1. New Visibility of Religion Research: The results of the international research project were published in October 2008, including contributions by Rene Girard, Rowan Williams, John Milbank, Terry Eagleton, Peter Weibel, and many others. See: Hoelzl, M. Ward, G. The New Visibility of Religion (New York: Continuum, 2008)  
  2. An English translation of Carl Schmitt's Political Theology II will be published in October 2008, by Polity Press.
  3. Monotheism and Violence: A collaboration with the Research Platform "World Order - Religion - Violence" at the University of Innsbruck has been launched.
  4. In cooperation with The Centre of Jewish Studies at The University of Manchester a lecture series on the role of the welfare state with respect to religion in contemporary society has been organized. 
  5. Our partner the Katholische Akademie in Berlin e.V. have a new journal, Fuge on religion and modernity. Click here for more information.