The Team

The Theology and Action Research Network is co-ordinated by a Steering Committee, made up of theologians, sociologists and action researchers. Brief details of the Committee are given below.

Dr. Clare Watkins, University of Roehampton. Network Director.

One of the original developers of Theological Action Research, Clare is a Lecturer at the University of Roehampton in Ministerial Theology. A Catholic lay theologian, Clare’s work has been in ecclesiology, sacramental theology and the theology of ecclesial practice. She is a former chair of the British and Irish Association for Practical Theology, and a member of the Ecclesiology and Ethnography Group.  Clare has recently published a constructive ecclesiology, drawn from empirical research and integrating ecclesial and systematic theological sources. This work – Disclosing Church: an ecclesiology learned from conversations in practice – concludes with a proposal for a ‘whole-theology’ approach which recognises practice as an entirely necessary and traditional element in faith’s seeking of understanding. More details of Clare’s background and publications can be found here.

Dr. Helen Cameron

Helen is a Research Fellow of the Centre for Baptist Studies at Regent’s Park College, Oxford.  She is Principal Investigator and Co-Leader of Project Violet, a three-year research project looking at the place of women in Baptist ministry which includes some theological action research.  She is also a Research Fellow at Wesley House, Cambridge where she supports the work of doctoral supervisors.

Dr James Butler

James is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Roehampton and MA lecturer at the Church Mission Society, both in the UK. He researches and teaches in the fields of missiology, ecclesiology and practical theology. He is currently involved in two theological action research projects: one exploring learning in British Methodism, and the second exploring Methodist and Catholic engagement in social action. He was awarded his PhD from Durham University researching how small missional communities sustain their social action.

Administrative Assistant/Web Manager (P/T) (Vacancy) 

Please think about joining our team – further details here.