University of Birmingham secures £2.4 million for multi-faith research project which will ask ‘the Big Questions’

The University of Birmingham has been awarded £2.4million to advance global research into the world’s religious traditions and their connection to the meaning of life.

The Global Philosophy of Religion Project: Fundamental Spiritual Reality, Human Purpose, and Living Well has been funded by the John Templeton Foundation, with support from a group of philanthropists from the global Jain community, as well as alumni funds, AHRC funded PhDs, and a Marie Curie Fellowship.

Led by Dr Martin Pickup, with support from Dr Marie-Hélène Gorisse and Professor David Cheetham and their team, the project aims to transform the philosophy of religion into a truly global and diverse field.

Dr Pickup, Associate Professor of Philosophy said: “This funding will allow us to build on the success of the first phase of the Global Philosophy of Religion Project. The second phase will consider what role (if any) fundamental spiritual realities like God might play in human purpose, the meaning of life and what it is to live well. We will engage with traditions from all over the world, expanding to including those at the crossroads between religions, philosophies, spiritualities and ways of life, such as Jainism, Buddhism, Confucianism, as well as the “spiritual but not religious.”

The researchers will delve into these ‘Big Questions’ from a multi-faith perspective, engaging with global traditions to inspire meaningful conversations and provide teaching and training opportunities to support the next generation of scholars. It will continue to focus on  geographical regions across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East which are underrepresented in the field.

The project will support academic activities in these areas through funding streams for research, teaching, training, public engagement, and impact. This will include major international conferences as well as a series of local events.

Dr Pickup concluded: “By fostering high-quality research across diverse religious traditions and geographical regions, the project aims to make significant progress on central questions of human existence, reinforcing the University of Birmingham’s commitment to world-leading research and societal impact.

“It is an exciting time for our team. This project will not only enhance academic research but also foster global perspectives and strengthen local links with diverse religious traditions, making a meaningful impact on society.”