Wren Radford is Postdoctoral Research Associate at LTI (2020-22)
Location: S1.5, Samuel Alexander building
Email: wren.radford@manchester.ac.uk
My research focuses on engaging in research that addresses the relationship between theology and contemporary socio-economic inequalities. Within the broad field of practical theology, I focus particularly on feminist, disability, and postcolonial approaches that enable a questioning of how power and politics shape theological knowledge. My doctoral research at the University of Glasgow analysed how marginalised groups sharing their lived experiences creates social change and questioned how ‘lived experience’ is represented and interpreted in practical theology. These themes continue into my present research with LTI on The Embodied Everyday, which seeks to engage with everyday experiences of marginalisation as a locus for anti-poverty activism and for theological reflection.
I am particularly interested in collaborative research with marginalised communities and activist groups, exploring their lived experiences and their practices for transforming inequality. In this, methodology and methods questions are particularly vital for me, and I am engaged in creative qualitative methods that enable a focus on the creative and interpretive capacities of all research participants. This also feeds into my broader research interests in the interaction between arts/literature/culture and theology. I have previously taught on courses on theology and creative writing, theology and children’s rights, and fantasy literature. Prior to academic study, I worked in the third sector, contributing to research and facilitation around faith-based community initiatives.
View my researcher profile here.