Here, Dr Stefanie Conradt, SWF Research Officer and practical theologian, reviews Priscilla Pope-Levison’s book No Man’s Land: The International Methodist Deaconness Movement, 1874-1918 (2025: Cascade Books). On the heels of the 50-year anniversary of women’s ordination in the Methodist Church (2024), No Man’s Land: The International Methodist Deaconess Movement, 1874 to 1918 renders an important […]
Discover the research projects that SWF engages in.
Menopause and theology – research presentation
In early September, Associate Director Emma Pavey presented ‘The Dis-Rupture of Perimenopause: queer solidarity and difference’, drawing on aspects of her Perimenopause, Menopause and Theology research, at the biennial conference of the International Society of Religion, Literature and Culture (ISRLC), at the University of Stirling, Scotland. You can listen to the audio and view slides […]
Project: Review of supervision policy
Supervision in ministry contexts has emerged as a vital component of practice, reducing isolation, strengthening support, and improving accountability and safety in ministry. Since its initial pilot and introduction in 2015, supervision in the Methodist Church has developed through interim and draft policies into the current Reflective Supervision Policy (2021–26), which aims to; support ministers […]
Project: Chaplaincy in Methodist-Related Schools
Learn more about our first step toward developing a Centre for Chaplaincy in Education.
Project: Children as researchers – a picture book
A grant from the Susanna Wesley foundation has enabled children’s pastor and University of Roehampton DTh research student Bridget Steenkamp to link up with Victoria Beech, a paediatric chaplain, digital artist and publisher, to create a picture book that can be used in future child-led research. This picture book was created as part of Bridget […]
Project: Chaplaincy and Freedom of Speech in Higher Education Institutions
Description: The Susanna Wesley Foundation (SWF) acknowledges that there is a great need to support chaplains in the work they do. People involved in this form of ministry often work alone and face a wide range of (at times conflicting) tasks. This participatory theological action research project aims at learning from people involved in chaplaincy […]
Resource – Menopause and Theology
Emma has produced a conversation guide for small groups in faith communities entitled ‘Moving into Menopause’ as part of her Menopause and Theology project. This resource is available as a printed booklet – contact us for details. It is also available to download as a pdf (full colour for viewing on a screen or low […]
Resource – Working with refugees
At SWF we were pleased to support work led by Dr Andrew Orton transforming their research into working with refugees into a practical resource entitled ‘A guide to developing a reflective learning programme on identity for Christians working with refugees and asylum seekers’. Here Andrew reflects on the project: Many Christians across the UK and […]