Nigel Groome Studentship: The psychology of the ‘spiritual but not religious’

In recent years, a growing number of individuals have identified as “spiritual but not religious”. This demographic is characterised, at least in part, by a rejection of traditional religious frameworks while embracing more individualised spirituality. The potential diversity of SBNR worldviews within and across cultural contexts, however, are largely understudied in the psychological sciences. Moreover, little is known about the correlates, causes and consequences of being spiritual-but-not-religious.

The proposed PhD project might focus on:

• mapping the boundaries and diversity of spiritual but not religious worldviews in diverse cultural contexts and/or
• developing reliable and widely applicable methods of identifying SBNR individuals and/or
• considering the processes by which spiritual-but-not-religious worldviews are culturally transmitted.

In so doing, the proposed PhD project would contribute to a better understanding of SBNR beliefs, values, and practices.

This PhD project will take place alongside externally funded research sponsored by the John Templeton Foundation’s Spiritual Yearning Research Initiative titled: The Objects of Spiritual Yearning in the SBNR. 

The PhD project, based at Oxford Brookes University, will have the opportunity to work alongside interdisciplinary collaborators: Dr. Myron Penner, Philosophy, Trinity Western University; and Dr. Emily Burdett, Developmental Psychology, University of Nottingham.

There is an additional requirement to undertake up to 6 hours undergraduate teaching/week during semesters and to participate in a teaching skills course without further remuneration.

For further information contact Dr. Adam Baimel (abaimel@brookes.ac.uk).

Complete applications should include a proposed project proposal (max 1000 words) including background, aims and an outline methodology, applicants can liaise with Dr. Adam Baimel when developing their proposal.