Heritage and Christian practice in the contemporary world.

Recent theoretical developments in the anthropology of Christianity have addressed how the relationship between material and immaterial features of life and the world are at the heart of certain Christian experiences and practices. In particular, emphasis has been placed on the role that physical objects play in mediating experiences of God and other divine persons. This doctoral project will critically investigate how such aspects of Christian life may be influenced or transformed when they become viewed as cultural heritage, either by outsiders or by communities themselves. Research proposals should identify the particular aspect of religious heritage and the Christian community that it will investigate; this may include official or unofficial forms of Roman Catholicism, Orthodox Christianity, or Protestant churches. Regional specialisation is open to any part of the world, although proposals that connect with existing regional interests in the School may be prioritised. The primary research method will be ethnographic research, so language proficiency may be an important consideration.

The student will work closely with both Archaeology and Geography & Environmental Science staff within SAGES. Informal enquiries should be directed to Dr Alanna Cant, [Email Address Removed].