Teaching Fellow in Theology and Ministry

The Common Awards Scheme and the Role

In 2013, Durham University was contracted by the Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England to provide validation arrangements for a suite of academic programmes in Theology, Ministry, and Mission, offered at a number of Theological Education Institutions (TEIs) around the country, and to provide academic resources and services to staff and students based at these institutions.

The partnership covers more than 500 members of staff and more than 2,500 students spread across TEIs from Exeter to Edinburgh. Students at these TEIs are training for a variety of forms of Christian ministry, lay and ordained, formal and informal, in a number of churches (Anglican, Methodist, URC, Baptist, Pentecostal, etc.).

In 2019, the University and the Archbishops’ Council signed a renewed contract for Common Awards, for the period from 1 September 2019 to 31 August 2024, and that was subsequently extended to 31 August 2027.

The Common Awards team includes an academic support team led by Alyson Bird (the Quality Assurance Manager) based in the University’s Curriculum, Learning and Assessment service, and an academic team currently comprising Prof. Mike Higton (Professor of Theology and Ministry), a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Theological Education, and this temporary position (Teaching Fellow in Theology and Ministry), all based in the Department of Theology and Religion. The present post provides temporary maternity cover for the Lecturer in Theology and Ministry.

The members of the academic team work with the academic support team to

• · maintain oversight of the delivery of Common Awards programmes at the partner TEIs, and develop related academic policies and quality assurance processes;
• · facilitate a range of research conversations and projects drawing in staff from around the partnership, and designed to help enhance the theological education provided around the partnership; and
• · provide a suite of activities aimed at enhancing the experience of students undertaking Common Awards programmes around the partnership.

More detail on the existing programme of Common Awards research activity is set out at .

Teaching Fellowships offer the opportunity of valuable experience to those early in their academic careers and the University is keen to maximise the benefit to as many people as possible.

The post is for a fixed term only, and it is not anticipated that the post will be extended beyond this fixed term.

Successful applicants will, ideally be in post by 1 October 2024

The University provides a working and teaching environment that is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate these key principles as part of the assessment process.

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