School of Divinity

We loved having Shannon Vallor at New College Festival to discuss her fascinating new book ‘The AI Mirror’! 📚

Watch the recording of her thought-provoking conversation with Jeremy Carrette on Artificial Intelligence, on our YouTube channel 👇
edin.ac/3NJzWuF

Inaugural Lecture How to be (more) moral: An experiment in Divinity 25 February, 5:15pm Martin Hall, New College

Professor Gordon Lynch's Inaugural Lecture takes place this month 📅 Have you got your tickets?

The event is currently sold out but don't worry, you can join the waitlist and be the first to know if any tickets become available 🎟️👇
edin.ac/3YJdS5J

Book Event Such Fragile Futures: An Artist and a Poet Reflect in a Garden 27 February, 4:10pm, Martin Hall

Book Launch Theological Libraries in the UK & Ireland 30 March, 4:10pm, Martin Hall

We have two new book events coming up from @religionlit.bsky.social! 📚

In February, we'll take a look at 'Such Fragile Futures: An Artist and a Poet Reflect in a Garden', and in March we'll look at 'Theological Libraries in the UK & Ireland'. Check out our Eventbrite for tickets 👇
edin.ac/3QGHz2Z

Did you miss Dr Bicket's appearance leading the Daily Service on BBC Radio 4?

Don't worry because you can listen to the full recording of the episode now on the BBC Sounds website 🎧👇
edin.ac/3ZKuQRn

Colour head and shoulders photo of Dr Linden Bicket

Dr Linden Bicket will be leading the Daily Service this Monday on BBC Radio 4 🎙️

Make sure to tune in to this service of reflection, worship and music at 9:45am on BBC Radio 4 to hear her focusing on Jesus' presentation in the temple and the meaning of the Candlemas celebration 🎧👇
edin.ac/3ZKuQRn

Colour head and shoulders photo of (left to right) Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones and Professor Helen Bond sat on chairs on the stage in Martin Hall for New College Festival. They are speaking to the audience sat on chairs in front of them

New College Festival was last year but we can't stop thinking about it 💭🍂

If you miss it just as much as us, why not pass the time until this year's dates by watching last year's recordings on our YouTube channel now 🎥👇
edin.ac/3N6LKqv

Did you see? 👀 Tickets for Professor Gordon Lynch's Inaugural Lecture went live last week!

Don't miss your chance to join us on 25 February at 5:15pm in the Martin Hall. Tickets are limited, register your place now 🎟️👇
edin.ac/3YJdS5J

Inaugural Lecture How to be (more) moral: An experiment in Divinity Join Professor Gordon Lynch (Professor of Religion, Society and Ethics) as he delivers his Inaugural Lecture. 25 February, 5:15pm Martin Hall, New College

Our first Inaugural Lecture of the year takes place next month! 🧑‍🏫 Professor Gordon Lynch will be delivering his lecture titled 'How to be (more) moral: An experiment in Divinity' on 25 February at 5:15pm in Martin Hall.

Tickets are limited, register yours now 🎟️👇
edin.ac/3YJdS5J

Colour photo of fireworks in the night sky besides the balmoral clock

As 2025 begins to draw to a close, we want to extend a huge thank all of you for spending this year with us! We look forward to seeing you again next year and wish you all a wonderful and prosperous 2026 ✨ 🎆

From all of us here at the School of Divinity, we wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! ❄️

Colour head and shoulders photo of Professor Alison Jack

As part of St Andrews Day last month, Professor Alison Jack featured on BBC Radio 4's Sunday Worship 🎙️ This episode explored the work and spirituality of Scottish writer Edwin Muir, tracing his developing faith and its influence on his writings.

Listen to the episode online now 🎧👇
edin.ac/4935FOz

Colour head and shoulders photo of Dr Shoaib Malik

We're hosting a free webinar with Channel Talent on 3 December at 11:10am. This webinar delivered by Dr Shoaib Malik titled 'Humanity Reloaded – AI & The Future of Religion' is relevant for A level and Higher RMPS study.

Register your place online now 👇
edin.ac/3XhkyHv

Colour photo of School of Divinity graduating students and staff seated and standing in Rainy Hall as they smile at the camera

Colour photo of people in Rainy Hall raising their drinks glasses in celebration

Colour photo of a School of Divinity graduating student and staff member hugging in Rainy Hall

Colour photo of people touching their drinks glasses together in celebration whilst stood in Rainy Hall

It certainly is the most wonderful time of the year 🎓❄️ What a wonderful time we had at our 2025 Winter Graduation Reception!

It was so lovely to see all of our extraordinary graduating students and their friends and family in Rainy Hall over the weekend for our celebrations 🎉

Colour head and shoulders photo of Dr Linden Bicket

If you're still not over Scotland's World Cup Qualification, why not check out Dr Linden Bicket's recent 'Thought for the Day' on Good Morning Scotland? 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿⚽

She focused on the topics of faith, doubt & hope surrounding the achievement! Catch her at 1:24:21 🎧
edin.ac/3KqCzQC

Colour head and shoulders photo of Dr James Eglinton

Did you spot Dr James Eglinton on STV at the beginning of the month? He was on Scotland Tonight talking about church growth among young people in Scotland.

Watch his appearance in the segment starting at 15:33 on the STV Player website 🎥👇
edin.ac/4io2ftU

Colour photo of Jeremy Carrette and Shannon Vallor speaking on stage in the Martin Hall

Colour photo of attendees sat together in Martin Hall

Colour photo of Liz MacWhirter stood speaking at the lectern in Martin Hall

Colour photo of Mustafa Briggs speaking whilst sat beside Shadaab Rahemtulla on the stage in Martin Hall

What a fantastic weekend we had celebrating our fifth annual New College Festival of Books and Beliefs! 📚🍂

We had a fabulous turnout for our exciting programme of speakers. It was so lovely to see everyone there as we explored the relationship between literature & belief 😊

2025 Graduate Interview Charlotte Brook, Katharina Luetzenkirchen, Lila Mahdi

As we gear up for graduations tomorrow, why not revisit our video interview with our 2025 summer graduates? 🎥🎓

Discover their unique journeys and how they shaped out their future career paths. Perfect for those graduating and potential students alike! 👇
edin.ac/44Y2g14

Postgraduate Virtual Open Days promotional graphic

Considering Postgraduate Study? Our upcoming online "Introduction to Postgraduate Programmes in Divinity" sessions providing an introduction to our postgraduate programmes as well as Q&A with staff 🧑‍💻

There are two sessions taking place on 18 & 21 November. Register now 🎟️👇
edin.ac/3J1UfS0

Undergraduate Study Programme Introductions Religion, Culture and Society (MA) Dr Paul Fuller

Are you interested in our undergraduate Religion, Culture, and Society (MA)? 🤔

Watch our latest video with Dr Paul Fuller as he explains all the ins and outs of this exciting programme 🎥👇
edin.ac/4qQD3QG

Colour photo of the New College Festival banner on the railings outside the New College building. The New College sign is visible hanging on the side of the building in the background.

Time's running out to book your tickets for the New College Festival of Books and Belief ⌛ Our exciting programme of events kicks off tomorrow at 11am.

Don't miss out and ensure you join us for this exciting exploration into the relationship between literature and belief! 📚🎟️
edin.ac/3BCM6iW

Ordinary Saints was one of my top 2025 reads – can't wait to hear from Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin @niamhsquared.bsky.social next weekend. Shortlisted for @waterstones.bsky.social Debut Fiction Prize 2025. @manillapress.bsky.social

Colour head and shoulders photo of Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin. ©Julie Broadfoot

Colour head and shoulders photo of Benjamin Bateman

Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin’s debut novel, ‘Ordinary Saints’, explores queerness, grief, humour, family, & the Catholic church in Ireland. Join Niamh in conversation with Benjamin Bateman on 8 Nov, 6pm and grab a drink and browse our pop-up bookshop from 5pm. Book now 🎟️👇
edin.ac/47NU5qO

Colour head and shoulders photo of Greg Walker

Colour head and shoulders photo of Randall Stevenson

Colour head and shoulders photo of Linda McLean

Colour head and shoulders photo of Donald Smith.

On Saturday 8 Nov at 4pm we celebrate the new ‘Oxford Handbook of Scottish Theatre’ with editors Greg Walker and Randall Stevenson and literary legends Linda McLean and Donald Smith.

Don't miss out and book your tickets now 🎟️👇
edin.ac/4oNJpOQ

Colour head and shoulders photo of Abi Millar. ©Ballard

Colour head and shoulders photo of Suzanna Millar

On 7 November at 2:30pm we welcome Abi Millar to talk about ‘The Spirituality Gap: Searching for Meaning in a Secular Age’ (Duckworth Books). From ayahuasca to astrology, reiki to raves, Millar explores a desire for meaning in the modern world. Chaired by Suzanna Millar. Book now 🎟️👇
edin.ac/3Wq2pqu

Colour head and shoulders photo of Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones

Colour head and shoulders photo of Helen Bond

#NCFestival starts on Friday 7 November at 11am with Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones on his newest books, 'The Cleopatras: The Forgotten Queens of Egypt' and ‘Babylon: The Mother of All Cities’ – complete with Biblical Time Machine podcast co-host Helen Bond! Book now 🎟️👇
edin.ac/4odknc3

Colour head and shoulders photo of Dr Matthew Baines

Dr Matthew Baines and our student Ben Burton recently featured on the BBC Radio 4 show, the 3rd Degree! The quiz show, features a team of three University students taking on a team of their professors.

Want to find out who won? Listen to the full episode on the BBC website now 🎧👇
edin.ac/47qjeXq

Colour head and shoulders photo of Liz MacWhirter

Black and white photo of Jane McKie

We’re excited to launch Liz MacWhirter’s moving prose poem ‘Blue: A Lament for the Sea’, along with an underwater film by Jonathan Kearney, on 8 November, 2:30pm. MacWhirter will be joined by creative writing teacher Jane McKie. Book now 🎟️👇
edin.ac/3WNlZwV

@scottishbooktrust.bsky.social

Can't wait for this one! @scottishbooktrust.bsky.social

Colour head and shoulders photo of Nadine Aisha Jassat

Colour head and shoulders photo of Emma Wild-Wood

Hear from the award-winning poet and storyteller Nadine Aisha Jassat on 8 Nov, 1pm. Her poetry & fiction transforms young lives and expresses a heritage that can only be told in stories. This event is chaired by Emma Wild-Wood. Book now! 🎟️👇
edin.ac/46LtB92

Nadine Aisha Jassat Photo ©Danielle Watt

Postgraduate Virtual Open Days 19-21 November

Alongside our Undergraduate Open Day, we also have our Postgraduate Virtual Open Days coming up next month! These online sessions provide you with an insight into our on-campus postgraduate programmes.

We're running two sessions on 18 and 21 November. Register your place now 👇
edin.ac/3J1UfS0