Biography
Paul Weller lives in both Germany and the UK. He originally read Theology at Regent’s Park College, Oxford in 1974-77. He holds an Oxford University MA; an MPhil in Social and Pastoral Theology (University of Manchester); a PhD in Religious Studies (University of Leeds); a DLitt on the basis of published works in relation to “a distinguished contribution to inter-religious dialogue and pluralism in the changing religious landscape of the United Kingdom” (University of Derby). In addition he has Certificate in Education (FE/HE) teaching qualification (Council for National Academic Awards) and a Managing Safely Certificate (Institute of Occupational Safety and Health). On his retirement from full-time employment at the University of Derby he was conferred as an Emeritus Professor, following a career there during which, among other roles, he was variously Director of the Religious Resource and Research Centre; Head of Religious Studies; Head of the Humanities and Social Sciences Subject Group; Head of Research and Commercial Development in the Faculty of Education, Health and Sciences; Reader in Religious Studies; Professor of Inter-Religious Relations; and University Acting Head of Research. Since his retirement from full-time employment in 2016, he continued as a fractionally employed Professor at the University of Derby until 2021; during which time he was also fractionally employed Professor in Coventry University’s Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations, of which he is now a Visiting Professor; was a fractionally employed Research Fellow in Religion and Society at Regent’s Park College; and was Director of Religion and Belief Research and Training Ltd.
Research Interests
Especially in the UK and in Europe, I have research interests and expertise with regard to aspects of the relationship between religions, race, ethnicity and culture; between religion and belief representation in state and public life; between religion and belief discrimination, freedom, human rights and equal opportunities; around religion and belief statistics; and around the dynamics and ideologies of inter-religious and inter-convictional relations and dialogue. In a different but related research area I have also researched and published on aspects of Baptist theology and ecclesiology in relation to religion and belief plurality and freedom. And finally, I have researched and published on the theology and practice of the Turkish Sunni Muslim scholar Fethullah Gülen and the Hizmet movement (especially in Europe) that has been inspired by his teaching and practice.
Research Centres and Projects
- Associate Director of the Oxford Centre for Religion and Culture at Regent’s Park College
External Engagement
Among other external roles during his career, Paul Weller has been a member of the Expert Panel on Faith Advising the Secretary of State for Communities, other Ministers and Civil Servants of the UK Government’s Department of Communities and Local Government; a member of the Office for National Statistics Working Group on Ethnicity, Language, Religion and National Identify; and a Network Member of GERIS (Global Exchange on Religion in Society) of the European Union.
Editorships
Paul Weller is academic editor of the Journal of Dialogue Studies; a member of the Editorial Board of Religions; of the Australian Journal for Islamic Studies; and of the Hizmet Studies Review.
Publications
Paul Weller Publications List PDF
Links
http://www.rpc.ox.ac.uk/people/professor-paul-weller/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-weller-academic/
@PaulGWeller
