Our Research

Alex Booth completed both her undergraduate History degree and Master's degree at Liverpool Hope University in 2020 and 2022 respectively. She has returned to Hope as a self-funded student to pursue a PhD that focuses on the lives and experiences of early modern women between 1550 - 1640. She is also dedicated to improving experiences for PhD students and has taken a role as a regional representative at HistoryLab, in addition to her role within the Postgraduate Society here at Hope. Outside of academia, Alex is a mum to a lively toddler and spends her days immersed in crafts, playtime and damage control.

Supervisors: Dr Ruth Canning and Dr Louise Wilson.

Salman Ayash obtained his undergraduate degree in English Literature from Ibb University (2013) and Master's degree in Education (2022) from the University of South Wales. Between these academic milestones, he worked in Yemen as a teacher, translator, and teacher trainer. Despite the outbreak of armed conflict in Yemen in 2015, Salman remained committed to his work. He also launched a peace-building initiative, "Seeds of Peace," aimed at fostering conflict resolution and sustainable peace in Yemen. Currently, Salman is pursuing a PhD in Politics and International Relations at Liverpool Hope University under the Vice Chancellor's Scholarship. His research examines the impacts of Yemen’s armed conflict on children and their education, as well as the role of INGOs in support and protection. Previously, he conducted research on the role of technology in sustaining education during armed conflicts. He has a passion to make education accessible for all children, especially those living in conflict-affected regions. In his leisure time, Salman enjoys watching films and reading newspapers.

Supervisor: Associate Professor Catalina Montoya Londono

Jenny Miller is researching for a PhD that bridges Transpersonal Psychology with Mystical Theology, holding Master's Degrees in both subjects with Distinction. Jenny’s background includes both Law as a Solicitor and in Transpersonal Psychotherapy. Jenny is an ordained Interfaith Minister and was the joint-winner of The World Congress of Faiths’ Essay Award 2019 on the subject of Is Interfaith Worship a desirable practice? which was published in Interreligious Insight. As part of her transdisciplinary research, Jenny was a delegate speaker at both the Mystical Theology Conference and the International EUROTAS Conference in Transpersonal Psychology at Oxford University this year.

Supervisors: Associate Professor Simon Podmore & Associate Professor Duane Williams 

Khandaker Uddin is a Professor (Adjunct and part-time) of Islamic Studies at Manarat International University, Dhaka, Bangladesh and the Director of Education at Manarat Academy, Birmingham, UK.
Khandaker’s PhD project title is ‘Representation of Jihad in the British media and its Impact on British Bangladeshi Muslim (BBM) community in Birmingham. The PhD investigates the negative impacts of misrepresentation of the Islamic legal term Jihad on the BBM community.
Khandaker presented papers related to his research area in the following conferences:
1.    24th International Migration Conference in Austria
2.    Hybrid International Conference, Archbishop Desmond Tutu Centre for War and Peace Studies, Liverpool Hope University, UK

Supervisors: Dr Salman Al-Azami & Dr Anthony Cawley

My name is Anna Rees, a Lecturer in Physiotherapy at the University of Liverpool and a PhD candidate at Liverpool Hope University. My PhD is interdisciplinary and lies within the field of Practical Theology. I am exploring how Evangelical Christians, living in the UK, make sense of their divorce through the lens of their Christian faith. This will be explored within a practical theological framework using a literature review and qualitative empirical research.  The qualitative research method that I am utilising is Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA).

Supervisors: Associate Professor Dominika Kurek-Chomycz & Dr Sarah Holmes

Catherine Wright is a dedicated PhD student specialising in justice and reconciliation in Northern Ireland. With a strong academic foundation, she holds an undergraduate degree in History and a Master’s degree in Contemporary European Affairs, both from Liverpool Hope University. She is Passionate about exploring the intersection of history, politics, and societal healing, her research delves into the complex dynamics of post-conflict reconciliation and its impact on communities.

Supervisors: Professor Stephen Kelly & Dr Anthony Costello

My name is Aimee Warburton, and I completed my undergraduate degree (2016 2019) and Master’s degree in History (2020) at Liverpool Hope University. I began my PhD in 2023 after successfully gaining a Vice-Chancellorship Scholarship. My previous research investigated whether intelligence gathering during the Irish War of Independence was centrally controlled or regionally independent by comparing the work of Dublin and Cork and whether the Bureau of Military History indicted that women were active agents or victims during the same conflict. My current research focuses upon the roles and experiences of republican women from Munster during the Irish revolutionary years, 1913-1923.

Supervisors: Professor Bryce Evans & Professor Stephen Kelly

Dorcas Adebayo is a doctoral researcher focusing on English language and cross-cultural communication. With a background in English and a Master’s degree in English Language, Dorcas has a keen interest in the intersection of language, culture, and communication. Her PhD research explores how body-related English idioms can act as barriers to effective cross-cultural healthcare communication. By identifying these challenges, she aims to develop practical strategies for ensuring clearer and more inclusive interactions in healthcare settings. Dorcas Adebayo is passionate about bridging cultural gaps through language and improving global health outcomes.

Supervisors: Dr Daria Izdebska, Dr Lisa Nahajec & Associate Professor Trish Ferguson

Jake Madgwick Lawton earned his undergraduate degree in History from the University of Edinburgh before pursuing an MRes at Liverpool Hope University, collaborating with Everton Football Club to research the club’s history of overseas tours. Since 2022, Jake has been undertaking PhD research focusing on the relationship between British and European football leading up to the Second World War. Jake has presented his research at numerous conferences across Europe and was awarded the Routledge Best Paper Award at the 2023 International Football Conference. He is also a contributor to BBC Merseyside, offering insights on the history and politics of football.

Supervisors: Dr Liam O'Callaghan and Dr Michael Holmes

Khairul Basher (Basher) is a PhD candidate at the School of Humanities, Liverpool Hope University, UK. His research explores the intricate nature of language policy and English language teaching in Bangladeshi EMI universities through a decolonial lens. He has more than 16 years of teaching experience in higher educational institutions in Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia and with the British Council. He holds an MRes in TESOL with Distinction from the University of Portsmouth. His research interests include sociolinguistics, World Englishes, language policy, teachers’ beliefs, and decolonial approaches to language education.

Supervisors: Dr Salman Al-Azami and Dr Manel Herat

Oliver Mumford is a Vice Chancellor’s Scholarship PhD candidate at Liverpool Hope University and the History of Education Society UK Ruth Watts Fellow. His PhD research is titled 'Imperial Hopes? The founding colleges of Liverpool Hope University and the colonial past, c.1920-1980’, and examines the colonial histories of religious teacher training colleges. Oliver has curated an exhibition at the Sheppard-Worlock Library and delivered public lectures drawing on his research. Oliver was awarded his BA (First Class Honours) and his MA (Distinction, with award) from Newcastle University and has undertaken funded research projects in Europe and South Africa.

Supervisors: Dr Jody Crutchley, Dr Danny Evans & Dr Abraham Ng’ang’a

George is an environmental philosopher. His academic background began with an Environmental Science BSC at the University of Leeds and progressed at the University of Glasgow with an MLitt in Environment, Culture, and Communication. His research focuses on how rewilding initiatives are dismantling and reconstructing the relationships between humans, nature, and the more-than-human. This work is expected to inform wildlife conservation and, eventually, a bill of rights for Nature. Beyond academia, George is a poet and musician with experience performing across the UK and in the US. He is also an original member of the Glasgow-based band Glass Veins.

Supervisors: Professor Steven Shakespeare

My name is Hannah Wallis, and I have completed my Undergraduate degree in Theology (2016- 2019) at Liverpool Hope University, continuing to complete a Master’s degree in Bible and Pastoral Contexts (2020) also at Liverpool Hope University. I then completed my PGCE in Secondary Religious Education at Edge Hill University, before beginning my PhD candidacy in 2025. My previously published research has investigated current and historical theological and sociological issues facing Anabaptist groups. My current doctoral research focuses upon the theological and psychological views of Armageddon, and whether the Covid-19 pandemic worsened this fear.

Supervisors: Associate Professor Simon Podmore and Reverend Dr Andrew Cheatle

Dr Sumtende Andeyantso Chaba is a veterinary doctor, agricultural economist, community educationist, and theologian. The title of her PhD project is "Exploring Leadership Experiences and Expectations of the African Women from Nigeria in Ministry in the United Kingdom: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Exercise.” African women’s voices have long been silenced by past and present hegemonies and power dynamics within the churches, as well as by cultural factors, including social marginalisation and patriarchy. This research aims to bring African women's ministerial and leadership experiences to the fore by focusing on Nigerian women in the UK as missionaries.

Supervisors: Associate Professor Dominika Kurek-Chomycz and Professor Peter McGrail.