FEATURED AUTHOR
Alison Woolley
Rooted in feminist theology and practical theology, Alison's work explores the value and impact of practices of silence or meditation as a spiritual discipline in the faith lives of contemporary Christian women. Using qualitative research methods from the social sciences, feminist principles of research design, and in depth interviews in particular, she also investigates the place of silence in research interviews and throughout the research process.
Subjects: Religion
Biography
Alison is Director of both the Seeds of Silence project and the Tripartite Doctoral Support for Women in Theology project.The Tripartite Doctoral Support project is a grant funded, three year project based in the West Midlands, established in 2021. It offers regular one-to-one and peer group support to address the intersectionality of women's doctoral level research in theology, the spiritual journey of the doctoral student and their personal narratives.
The Seeds of Silence project offers training and workshops to encourage the development of practices of silence or meditation as a regular spiritual practice/discipline (see seedsofsilence.org.uk). It was established in 2016 following the completion of Alison's PhD at the Queen's Foundation for Theological Education, University of Birmingham in 2015. Rooted in feminist and practical theologies, this qualitative research investigated the value, construct and impact of chosen practices of silence in the faith lives of contemporary Christian women.
Alison combines these two roles with her work as a spiritual director/accompanist. She lives in the Scottish Borders, UK, with her partner and their cat, Maiya.
Education
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PhD, Queen's Foundation, University of Birmingham, UK, 2015
Post Grad in Music Therapy, Anglia Ruskin, 1996
BMus (Hons), Goldsmiths, University of London, 1994
Areas of Research / Professional Expertise
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Specialised, Tripartite Support of female doctoral students in theology.
Christian practices of silence and meditation, feminist theology and practical theology (feminist practical theology), interdisciplinary perspectives on silence.
Qualitative research methodology, with a particular interest in in-depth interviews and exploring the role of silence at all stages of the research process, from research design through interviews, transcribing and analysis to the re-presentation of data.
Personal Interests
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Photography, 5Rhthms dance, poetry, visiting art and photographic galleries, walking in the Scottish and Northumberland countryside, playing squash, watching contemporary dance and world cinema.