Centre for Philosophy of Religion and Theology
Centre for Philosophy of Religion and Theology
Exploring and promoting research across a broad range of approaches and religious traditions.

Who we are
We are a large and diverse community of philosophers of religion and philosophical theologians. We are committed to expanding and diversifying the conversation in philosophy of religion.
We work across a range of different religious traditions. These include Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam, African traditional religions and Afro-Brazilian traditions. We are also interested in different ways of conceptualising religious belief and commitment. Our research takes an interdisciplinary approach, working at the intersections between philosophy and cognate disciplines such as theology, religious studies, sociology and anthropology.
We are located in the School of Philosophy, Religion and History of Science, which provides a fertile environment for cross-disciplinary research in the fields of philosophy and religion, drawing together the perspectives of philosophers, scholars of religion, theologians, and historians of science. In addition to bringing the tools of philosophical analysis to religious concepts and beliefs, our distinctive approach to philosophy of religion comprises close attention to several key aspects:
- living religion: the place of religion in people’s lives
- religious practices: rituals, sacrifice, forms of worship
- experience and emotions: happiness, depression, wellbeing
- narratives: scriptural, mythological, biographical, artistic
- a global perspective, encompassing religious traditions from every inhabited continent of the world
We have a diverse range of research interests, including:
- metaphysics and philosophy of mind
- christology and conceptions of God
- religion, mental health, neurodiversity and disability
- religion, in/justice, politics and ethics
- theodicy, the problem of evil and theologies of suffering
- Wittgensteinian approaches to philosophy of religion
- comparative and cross-cultural philosophy of religion
- Conceptions of religious belief and commitment
Our teaching
We offer supervision and support to students undertaking research degrees in a wide range of topics in the area of Philosophy of Religion. Supervision is available for PhD, MPhil and Masters by Research. Centre members are currently supervising PhD students on topics including Indian philosophy of religion; philosophy of religion, emotion and mental health; divine attributes; God and time.
As well as supporting the work of research students in philosophy of religion, members of the Centre also contribute to modules and teaching in the field.
We offer a number of philosophy of religion modules at undergraduate level.
These can be taken as part of the Philosophy, Ethics and Religion (PER) BA, and are also offered as options on other degree courses, such as the Theology and Religious Studies (TRS) BA and Philosophy BA
At postgraduate level we are involved in teaching modules as part of the online-only MA in Philosophy of Religion and Ethics.
Events
Unless otherwise stated, all seminars will take place in person on Thursdays in the Botany House Seminar Room (Room 1.03) from 11.30am – 1pm.
If you wish to attend or be added to the mailing list, please email the Centre Director, Dr Simon Hewitt. All are welcome to attend.
Should you be unable to attend in person, you can still join in by Zoom.
Schedule for Semester 2 of the 2022/23 academic year
- Wednesday 1 February, 3pm – 5pm, Jen Frey (an online-only event, joint event with CAMP).
- Thursday 23 February 2023 - Joshua Cockayne, Title TBC
- Thursday 9 March 2023 – Mikel Burley, ‘Not so much thought out as danced out’: Diversifying philosophy of religion in the light of Afro-Brazilian Candomblé
- Thursday 23 March 2023 - Simon Hewitt, ‘God and abstract objects: a new proposal'
- Thursday 4 May 2023 – Mohammed Saleh Zarepour, ‘No Easy Road to a Dialetheic Islamic Theology’
Coffee and cake will be provided for all attending in person (apologies to people attending via Zoom).
Other ways to get involved
As well as welcoming members of the public to our research seminars, we collaborate with local groups, such as the Leeds Church Institute; organise events with schools, such as ‘Question Time’ at Leeds Minster; and give public talks to community groups, with recent topics including religion and mental health, yoga and Indian philosophy, and Doctor Who and reincarnation.
People
Members include:
- Simon Hewitt (Centre Director)
- Tasia Scrutton
- Mikel Burley
- Chris Kenny
- Simon Kittle
- Joanna Leidenhag
- Robin Le Poidevin
- Rachel Muers
- Stefan Skrimshire
- Scott Shalkowski
- Gabrielle White
- Roger M. White