Invitation to OU Seminar looking at religious conflict

Post date: Mar 28, 2012 5:31:17 PM

The Open University is hosting a major seminar on religious conflict led by Prof John Wolfe, who has been engaged in a study of religious conflict within the UK for the past two years. The seminar is taking place in the Christodoulou Meeting Room 15, The Open University, on 24th April from 2:00pm-5:00pm.

Prof Wolfe has been engaged in a two year research programme investigating the history of religious tensions in England, and on present day attitudes in Northern Ireland. A central aim of the project has been to explore parallels between the long standing Protestant-Catholic tensions in the UK and the more recent emergence of Christian-Muslim-secular tensions, with a view to deriving constructive insights for forward-looking thinking and policy.

Tea, coffe, cake and fruit will be available be available from 1:30pm

Prof Wolfe will open the seminar at 2:00pm, by outlining the project and sharing interim insights and conclusions.

PhD student, Alec Corio will present a paper summerising his work on historical perceptions of Roman Catholics and national identity between 1870 and the First World War.

Dr Jovan Byford and Julian Bond, Director, Christian- Muslim Forum, will give responses, focusing in particular on the implications for addressing religious prejudice and building relationships between Christians and Muslims both nationally and locally.

There will be an extended period for questions and discussions which, it is hoped, will assist in both drawing out policy implications and in highlighting the most productive directions for further academic research and reflection.

There is no charge for attending the seminar but as places are limited you are invited to indicate your interest in attending by sending an e-mail to Dr Philomena Sutherland at arts-prot-rc-project@open.ac.uk by Tuesday 17th April. If in your e-mail you could highlight any particular relevant interests and expertise this would be appreciated.

The seminar forms part of Prof Wolfe's research programme 'Protestant-Catholic Conflict: Historical Persprectives and Contemporary Realities' and is being repeated in Liverpool on 12th June and in Birmingham on 4th July, if you are interested in the topic but can't attend the seminar at the OU.