A leading Durham University theologian is to help shape the Catholic Church for years to come.
Professor Anna Rowlands has been selected for a secondment that will see her spend two years working with the General Secretariat of the Synod, and the Dicastery (Department) for Integral Human Development of the Holy See (Vatican).
Global Synod process
Her role includes working closely with the team managing the global Synod process established by Pope Francis.
The Synod is the largest grassroots listening process undertaken by the Catholic Church and aims to renew processes of participation, governance and mission in the life of the Church.
It will result in two major world meetings in Rome in October 2023 and October 2024 and will examine key global realities that will help to shape the Catholic Church.
In addition, Professor Rowlands will work to support the core research work of the Holy See department that speaks on matters of politics, economics, climate and migration.
World-renowned in Theology and Religion
Durham has one of the highest-rated departments of Theology and Religion in the UK and internationally.
The University is rated third in the UK, according to the Complete University Guide 2023, and seventh in the world, according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022, for its strengths in Theology and Religion.
Arts and Humanities at Durham is also ranked 33rd in the world in the THE World University Rankings by Subject 2023.
Arts and Humanities making an impact
Professor Rowlands' secondment is another example of our Arts and Humanities expertise making an impact on the world, including:
Our Hearing the Voice project, a collaboration between English Studies and Psychology, which is providing resources to help voice-hearers, their families and mental health professionals;
- History research that has made a significant contribution to understanding of electoral processes and aspects of governance in African countries;
And work from Classics and Ancient History that is helping people across the world access ancient Greek and Latin texts through the Diogenes and DiogenesWeb open-source software.
