The University of Oxford research centre is dedicated to reimagining dissenting religious tradition(s). The Centre champions free thinking and cutting-edge discussion to reveal the hidden stories of radical thinkers, social reformers, educationalists, scientists, women activists, and other dissenters and ask difficult questions about the past, present, and future of religious dissent.
The Centre builds scholarly community by funding research connected to Harris Manchester College’s significant archival holdings on religious dissent, Unitarianism, and Unitarian Universalism.
The Rev Adam Slate and Dr Lizzie Kingston-Harrison are academic visitors; Spencer Drake and Norbert Nagy are student affiliates.
Funding and events
In the 2026-2027 academic year the Centre is offering three funding opportunities: two Ann Peart Visiting Scholars in Unitarian and Dissenting Histories, a Gabor Kereki Trust Visiting Scholar, and two Manchester Academy Trust Bursaries for Harris Manchester’s Summer Research Institute.
We will hold our inaugural conference, Reimagining the Dissenting Traditions: Empire, Complicity, and Resistance, from September 26 to 29, 2027.
