Theological Action Research Training

Forthcoming Training Dates:
June 2026 dates: 3 and 4 June (8.45 to 12 noon).
(All times are according to UK time.)

Our theological action research training is aimed at doctoral students and researchers.  It is interactive and conversational and takes place on Zoom.  Based around the 5 characteristics of theological action research it is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills they need to embark on their own theological action research.

The training is run by Dr Helen Cameron, Director of Research at Regent’s Park College, Oxford and Dr James Butler, postdoctoral researcher, University of Roehampton and MA lecturer, Church Mission Society, Oxford.

The training runs twice each year and the timings of each training differ to allow participation from around the world. The pattern of the training is below and dates are displayed at the top and bottom of the page:  

• The June training runs over two days from 9am-12midday (UK time) remaining accessible in the UK and Europe, but also becoming accessible to  countries to the east of the UK including Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
• The November training runs from 14.15pm to 20.30pm (UK time) meaning it works in the UK and Europe and makes it accessible in the Americas.

You are welcome to join any of the training days no matter what time zone you are in. We have had people getting up at 3am to join us!

Sign up to our regular newsletter or follow us on Twitter to receive an alert when booking opens.

Feedback from Previous Participants

“It is a high level of material for a low price. Some will leave with a new methodological approach, others (like me) may take only elements of TAR. Either way it will be time and money well spent. Spending time in the company of other research students is also richly valuable.”

“There is so much to be gained from actually being taken through the process-experientially, and having TAR modelled with you. This increases my sense of affinity with it as an approach to learning and also allowed me to see ‘behind the scenes’ of how the approach works in practice, being able to observe and experience the facilitation skills, language and also experiencing online delivery-a skill in itself.”

“Surprised that through the conversations I learnt so much.”

“I think everything worked really well. I really enjoyed it thank you and so many of my questions were answered via the jam board and feedback from the groups. Three key insights: the type of conversations in Reflector meetings, a theology of revelation, the data is also reading me/us.”

“The insights are really questions about how to let go of the research question, which is also related to not looking at the data as a problem to be solved, as I understand it. Those questions are sticking with me if this is the right methodology for my project. I also appreciate how much this promotes ownership, which is key for my research. I liked the online format — it made it possible for me to attend.”

Three key insights: “Be prayerfully attentive to the data. The formal voice can include other disciplines. TAR is about discernment through conversation.”

“I have definitely learned about the power of conversational method through this training especially group conversations we had.”

“[My understanding of theological action research is now] deeper – surprise and conversation all now have more weight and validity.”

“Today has made me realise that I’ve missed having theological conversations! Hearing other people made me realise how much I’ve grown in this area since I first heard about it… so feel more confident. Will certainly pay attention to whose voices are at the table and whose voices may be missing.. so will apply that to the conversation partners.”

“A group can quickly become comfortable using language and concepts [of] the four theological voices. The processing of data in a group setting can produce outcomes greater than the sum of its parts. TAR is more adaptable and flexible that I had understood. Of course I would have loved more time and time together in person, but this was an excellent training given the constraints we are all under.”

“The categories and characteristics have been filled out, the group work gave a first taste of the difficulty and promise of the conversational approach and the four voices. the interview and summaries added a lot of practical wisdom about the practice.”

“The exercises in groups and general session were informative. I really loved the polyphonic and dialogical nature of the methodology. Stimulating and inspiring.”