Call for Papers: Durham 2025
Ecclesiology & Ethnography Conference
9-11 September 2025 | St John’s College, Durham
This conference is part of The Network for Ecclesiology & Ethnography, which seeks to draw together scholars working with theological approaches to qualitative research on the Christian Church. We welcome papers that explore the dynamic relationship between the theological and the lived. It is a wide-ranging conference, and part of the joy is discovering a diversity of specialisms. Past papers have included ethnography, systematic theology, ecclesiology, practical theology, and social science approaches. Attendees range from senior scholars to doctoral students. This is also an excellent place to be or present as an early career researcher, a pastor/scholar in ministry, or if you are pursuing a PhD. Learning is generously shared. Critiques are genuine but supportive.
There are three types of paper sessions at the Durham Conference:
- Plenary Sessions (60 minutes)
- Track Sessions (45 minutes)
- Seminar Sessions (30 minutes)
Out of all the submitted papers, the conference committee selects 5 – 8 Keynote Papers for the Plenary Sessions. The Keynote Papers are selected based on quality (level of completion, originality, etc.), relevance (thematic, theoretical, methodological, etc.), and representation (nationality, gender, etc.).
The Track Sessions are for Researchers holding a PhD (or equivalent), whereas the Seminar Sessions are for PhD-students and Practitioners. In recent years, we have been able to make space for all the submitted papers. A waiting list will be organised if there are more papers than the time allows.
How do I submit a paper proposal for The Durham Conference?
- Fill out the electronic form which will be published here on 17 March 2025. Deadline: 19 May 2025.
- Wait for a response. You should receive a response by 6 June 2025. If, for any reason, you do not receive feedback within a reasonable time – human and digital errors do occur, unfortunately – please get in touch with the academic coordinator at susanna.snyder@theology.ox.ac.uk.
- Pay the conference deposit by 10 June 2025. When the deposit is paid, your proposal is formally accepted. Papers without a deposit will be removed from the conference program.
- If your paper is accepted for presentation, you must register and pay in full for the conference by 15 August 2025. Details regarding conference registration and accommodations are available here.
- Submit the full paper by 1 September 2025. Instructions on how to do this will follow.
How to present a paper at The Durham Conference
By 1 September, you should have submitted your paper in full text. Most papers tend to be 10–15 pages – independent of the length of your session. All full-text papers will be circulated to all registered participants a week before the conference.
When presenting your paper, please leave approximately half the session’s allotted time for discussion. In other words, you will not have the time to read all of your paper in total length. An oral presentation of essential points made in your paper is typically better.
Projectors are available in all conference rooms.
Only Plenary Sessions will be chaired. Presenters in the same session are encouraged to chair each other’s papers for the Track Sessions and Seminar Sessions.
Submission Guidelines
This year, we will start accepting paper proposals from 17 March onwards. The link to the electronic form will be announced here. All paper proposals will be reviewed, and we’ll let you know the status of your proposal ASAP and by 6 June at the latest. If your paper is accepted, please register and pay in full for the conference before August 15, 2025.
If you have any questions, please email the Conference Team: Dr Susanna Snyder (Academic Coordinator) at susanna.snyder@theology.ox.ac.uk or Professor Pete Ward (Conference Founder and Host) at peter.ward@durham.ac.uk or Professor John Swinton (Academic Coordinator) at j.swinton@abdn.ac.uk.
