Skip to main content

Diversity Centre – Previous Lectures

Diversity Centre

Previous Lectures

Newbold’s Diversity Centre has brought thought-provoking, exciting and important social topics to the campus centre stage since 1997.

Below, you can find an archive of all our previous talks held at the College.

Diversity and Beach Lectures

2021

  • "Global or local? to whom should we look now for leadership of the climate change debate?" - María Alejandra Andrade (Theology & Network Engagement Team Leader, Tearfund)
  • "COVID-19 and Women Leaders: What’s their Record?" - Professor Uma Kambhampati, Head, School of Politics Economics and International Relations, University of Reading
  • "COVID-19 and the wilding of the Church – what sort of leaders do we need?" - Dr Steve Aisthorpe, Mission Development Worker, Church of Scotland

2020

  • "Does poverty have a colour? How the Church can restore dignity, equality and justice for all" - Amanda Khozi Mukwashi, Chief Executive, Christian Aid
  • "Scripture and Violence – Christian, Jewish and Muslim perspectives" - Julia Snyder, Daniel Weiss, Omar Shaukat from the Cambridge Inter-faith Programme
  • "The Racial Pandemic of Ignorance: Black Lives Matter" - Dr Gifford Rhamie, Senior Lecturer, Ethnicity and Culture in Early Christianity & Contemporary Praxis and Director of Field Education, Newbold College of Higher Education
  • "A Diverse Community Supporting a Diverse Environment” - David Putt – Project Manager, Jealott’s Hill Community Landshare (March 2020)
  • “Trafficking and Slavery in our community – really?” - Suzette Jones (MSc, RN), Health & Wellbeing Adviser, Communities Engagement Team, Diocese of Guildford. (February 2020)

2019

  • "Theologising Brexit" - Professor Anthony Reddie (November 2019)
  • "Being Human in a Digital Age" - Andrew Graystone, BBC broadcaster and producer, media analyst, consultant and writer. (October 2019 Beach Lecture)
  • "Showing Up for Inter-generational Communication" - Jennifer Logan, freelance Anthropologist (September 2019)
  • "Forgiveness and Community Building"- Jo Berry (April 2019)
  • "Saving Planet Earth – Can we? Should we?" - Revd. Dave Bookless (March 2019)
  • "Being a black Christian woman in Brexit Britain - Chine McDonald, Media content, PR Lead at Christian Aid (February 2019)

2018

  • "Building Community with Refugee? - Nick Harborne – Director, Reading Refugee Support Group (November 2018)
  • "Music in Worship – Ecumenical Bridge Builder or Barrier" - John Bell of the Iona Community (October 2018 Beach Lecture)
  • "Celebrating Diversity and Building Community in the local church – a pastor’s view." - Pastor Guisele Berkel-Larmonie – Rotterdam North and X-preszo and Alphen aan De Rijn. (September 2018)
  • "Who or what needs to change?" - Rev’d Charlotte Bannister-Parker is the Director of Outreach, University Church of St Mary the Virgin and Oxford Interim City Rector. (April 2018)
  • "Digital World, Digital Church, Digital God?" - Dr Timothy Hutchings, Lecturer at the University of Durham (March 2018)
  • "Being a Muslim Woman in the UK" - Julie Siddiqi (former Executive Director of the Islamic Society of Britain, activist, and consultant with a focus on gender issues, inter-faith relations and social action) (February 2018)

2017

  • "Christianity and Captialism – Why women and shopping matter" - Dr Eve Poole (economist and theologian) (November 2017)
  • "Faith and Politics: A Reformation Anniversary Review" - Professor Alec Ryrie, Professor in the Department of Theology and Religion, University of Durham (October 2017 Beach Lecture)
  • "One for All and All for One – Appreciating Dissidence in the Church " - Pastor Wim Altink, Former leader of the Netherlands Union of Seventh-day Adventist churches (September 2017)
  • "Fear and Loathing in the Newsroom: How journalists understand religion" - Dr. Jenny Taylor, Director, (Lapido Media, Centre for Religious Literacy in Journalism) (April 2017)
  • "Christianity, Free speech and the Challenges of Secularism" - Dr David Landrum (Director of Advocacy at the Evangelical Alliance) (March 2017)
  • "Faith: Childish Dependence or Adult Maturity – A Psychological Perspective" - Dr Torben Bergland (Psychiatrist and Health Ministries Director in the Trans-European Division of the Seventh-day Adventist church) (February 2017)

2016

  • "Christianity and Politics: a challenging conversation" - Nick Spencer (Research Director at Theos – an organization developing clear thinking on Religion and Society) (November 2016)
  • "Difficult Conversations between Christians and Muslims. Ways forward: Britain a case-study" - (Revd Dr Philip Lewis (Department of Peace Studies, University of Bradford) (October 2016 Beach Lecture)
  • "Difficult Conversations between Adventists" - Dr Reinder Bruinsma (Pastor, Scholar and Retired Seventh-day Adventist administrator) (September 2016)
  • "Credit, Debt, Usury – A Christian Response"- Andy Walton (Communications Officer at the Centre for Theology and Community) (April 2016)
  • "The Impact of Disasters on Women" - Ian Ridley (Senior Director of Humanitarian External Relations and Resource Development at World Vision International) (March 2016)
  • "The Migrant Crisis in Europe – do we need to change our thinking?" - Bert Smit (Chief Executive Officer for the Adventist Development and Relief Agency) (February 2016)

2015

  • "Counter-Terrorism and Bridge Building" - Holly Hughson (Humanitarian Aid Worker and Formerly Consultant to the U.S. Military) (November 2016)
  • "The Stone that the Builders Rejected: Towards the Renewal of the Church" - Revd. Dr Sam Wells (Vicar of St Martin in the Fields, Trafalgar Square, London, and Visiting Professor in Christian Ethics at King’s College, London) (October 2015 Beach Lecture)
  • "A Diverse Future for a Diverse Church" - Raafat Kamal (President of the Trans European Division of Seventh-day Adventists) (September 2015)
  • "God, Language, Mind and Men" - Mervi Kalmus (Intern pastor of the Estonian conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Tallinn, and Lecturer in Homiletics at the Tartu Theological Seminary of the Estonian Baptist Church) (April 2015)
  • "Diverse Models of Leadership" - Superintendent Max Williams and Mrs Denise Williams (Max Williams is a Superintendent of the Metropolitan Police (Deputy Borough Commander), and Denise Williams is the Headteacher of Isebrook SEN Cognition & Learning College in Kettering.) (March 2015)
  • "Sabbath, Time and Faithfulness" - Revd. Professor John Swinton (Minister in the Church of Scotland, and Professor in Practical Theology and Pastoral Care in the School of Divinity, Religious Studies and Philosophy at the University of Aberdeen) (February 2015)

2014

  • "A Diversity of Witnesses: Can we ever really know what God said?" - Dr Jean-Claude Verrecchia, Former Principal Lecturer in New Testament, Newbold College (November 2014)
  • "Talking to the Other" - Lecturer: Rabbi Professor Jonathan Magonet (October 2014 Beach Lecture)
  • "Leading the Way in Diversity – Public Agencies or the Church?" - Carlos Pedreira, Specialist Investigation Officer, Surrey Police (September 2014)
  • "Inclusiveness in the literature of C.S. Lewis" - Debbie Higgens, Director of the C.S. Lewis Study Centre at “The Kilns.” (April 2014)
  • "Seventh-day Europeans? American and European approaches to mission in Europe, c.1880-1940" - David Trim, Director of the Office of Archives, Statistics, and Research at the Seventh-day Adventist World Headquarters (March 2014)
  • "More than liberty, rights and respect" - Dr Ganoune Diop (Director for United Nations Relations for the Seventh-day Adventist Church) (February 2014)

2013

  • "Spiritual Health and Mental Illness" - Dr Andreas Bachmann (November 2013)
  • "The Elusive Quest – Religious Peacebuilding in a World of Difference" - Canon David Porter – Special Adviser on Reconciliation to the Archbishop of Canterbury (October 2013 Beach Lecture)
  • Ordination in the Seventh-day Adventist Church: The Ongoing Search for Understanding" - Dr Bertil Wiklander (President of the Trans-European Division) (September 2013)
  • "The Translatable Gospel’, Mission in a Pluralistic World" - Dr Michael Pearson (April 2013)
  • "Toxic Documents and Social Exclusion" - Dr Robert Waller (March 2013)
  • "Diversity, Friend or Foe?" - Dr Larry Geraty, Principal Emeritus, La Sierra University (February 2013)

2012

  • "Out of the Ashes – Building Bridges After the Riots" - The Right Honourable David Lammy (MP for Tottenham and Member of the last Labour Government) (October 2012 Beach Lecture)
  • "European Sunday Rest-day Legislation – an Update" - Dr Brighton Kavaloh (March 2012)
  • "Wash me and I shall be blacker than coal - Faith, Ethnicity and Identity in British Seventh-day Adventist Discourses" - Dr William Ackah (Birkbeck, University of London) (February 2012)

2011

  • "Burkina Faso to Burma to Bracknell: Should the Good News look the same everywhere?" - Dr Gary Krause (Associate Secretary, Office of Adventist Mission, Seventh-day Adventist World Headquarters) (November 2011)
  • "Bad Seeds, Problematic Plants – Colonial Christianity as Occult Practice"- Dr Robert Beckford (Theologian and award-winning Channel 4 broadcaster) (October 2011 Beach Lecture)
  • "Mental Health and Culture – are they connected?" - Revd. Ken Blanton (Jungian Analyst and Minister, United Reformed Church, Bracknell) (September 2011)
  • "Social Exclusion – Fallout and Consequences" - Dr Gertrude Shotte (Lecturer in Comparative Education and International Development Institute of Education, University of London) (April 2011)
  • "Developing Cultures of Trust in voluntary organisations and churches" - Victor Pilmoor (Treasurer for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the UK) (March 2011)
  • "Many Adventisms? – Diversity and unity in Seventh-day Adventist context" - David Trim (Newly Appointed Director of Archives and Statistics, Seventh-day Adventist World Headquarters) (February 2011)

2010

  • "Faith and Belief in Action in Bracknell Forest" – an event with other faith and belief groups in the borough (Conference, November 2010)
  • "The God Delusion – A Jewish Response to Dawkins" - Rabbi Jonathan Romain (Writer, Broadcaster, Minister of Maidenhead Synagogue) (October 2011 Beach Lecture)
  • "A Beautiful Life – a film and discussion on family life and disability with the Johnson family" - The Johnson Family (Senior pastoral family at Newbold Church) (September 2010)
  • "Through a glass darkly – Democracy and Diversity in the Media" - Linda Mitchell (Former Head of Diversity at the BBC)
  • "Diversity in the British Union – the challenges" - Pastor Don McFarlane (President, British Union of Seventh-day Adventists) (March 2010)
  • "Facebook or Face to Face – Inter-Generational Dialogue in the Church" - (Manuela Casti (ValueGenesis, Europe, and Lecturer in Pastoral Ministry and Mission) - February (2010)

2009

  • "You Shop, They Drop – Christians and Ethical Shopping" - (Dr Michael Pearson, Vice-Principal, Newbold College of Higher Education) (November 2009)
  • "Faiths and The Feminine. Are inter-faith relations a challenge to the ministry of Christian women?"- Dr Elaine Storkey (Writer, Broadcaster, Lecturer, Theologian) (October 2009 Beach Lecture)
  • "Facing race in different spaces" - Marge Lowhar (Director of Tranzitions, a consultancy specializing in Management and Organisational Development) (September 2009)
  • "Promoting Religious Freedom through Public Events" - John Graz (Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Department General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists) (April 2009)
  • "Women in Theology- the experience" - A facilitated conversation between students and staff in the Department of Theological Studies (March 2009)
  • "Ageing and Ageism – Some Challenges: Reflections of a Church Leader" - Pastor Cecil Perry (President Emeritus, British Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists) (February 2009)
  • "Du Bois’ critical whiteness studies and the purpose of a university" - Dr John Preston (Institute of Education, University of London) (January 2009)

2008

  • "Repentance – Is it the path to mission and unity?" - Dr Denton Lotz (Former General Secretary of the Baptist World Alliance) (October 2008 Beach Lecture)
  • "Worship in a Diverse Church: Liturgy and Community" - Dr David Trim (Lecturer in History at Newbold College of Higher Education and Walter C. Utt Visiting Professor of History at Pacific Union College, Angwin, California) (September 2008)
  • "Seeing is Believing – or is it?: Faith and the limits of empiricism" - Clifford Goldstein (Bible Study Guides, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist church) (April 2008)
  • “Through the eyes of a black woman –– Perspectives from black British single Adventist women" - Val Bernard (Lecturer at Newbold College of Higher Education (March 2008)
  • "The persecution of Christians and other minorities in Burma, Pakistan and Sri Lanka" - Benedict Rogers (Christian Solidarity Worldwide) (February 2008)
  • "Religion and psychiatry: a convergent approach" - Dr Volodimir Bezulowsky (Huntercombe Hospital) (January 2008)

2007

  • "The sword of liberty: Global terror and religious liberty" - Lincoln Steed (International Religious Liberty Association) (November 2007)
  • "Religions for peace? A global challenge" - Dr Gunnar Stålsett (Praktisk-Teologiske Seminary, Oslo) (October 2007 Beach Lecture)
  • "Overcoming prejudice in Higher Education: Teaching about race slavery in the postmodern South" - (Professor Mark Fissel (Augusta State University) (September 2007)
  • "Saxon Agonistes: Milton’s History of Britain (1670) and early concepts of ethnicity and English identity" - Professor Willy Maley (University of Glasgow) (April 2007)
  • "The Last Missionary: Is it time to bring home the remaining cross-cultural missionaries?" - Homer Trecartin (General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist church, Office of Adventist Mission) (March 2007)
  • "Welfare and Work: Protestant and Catholic attitudes to social action" - Dr Tim Macquiban (Sarum College) (February 2007)

2006

  • "Initiating diversity in worship during times of transition" - Dr Daniel Schramm (Newbold College of Higher Education) (November 2006)
  • "The politics of scripturalizing and the construction of meaning: A case in Seventh-day Adventism" - Dr Olive Hemmings (Columbia Union College, USA) (October 2006)
  • "The Cross and the Crescent––The clash of faiths in an age of secularism" - Lord Carey (103rd Archbishop of Canterbury) (September 2006 Beach Lecture)
  • "The public space of altar calls" - Sashareen Morgan (Independent scholar) (March 2008)
  • "The future of Multiculturalism and the place of dialogue within Seventh-day Adventist Church communities in Britain" - Martin J. Pearson (University of Bradford) (February 2006)
  • "A blessing in the midst of the Earth: Travelling the prophetic highway in Isaiah" - Dr Sigve Tonstad (Independent scholar, Norway) (January 2006)

2005

  • "The experience of being brought up by Seventh-day Adventist parents in the UK" - Lidija Godina (University of Reading) (November 2005)
  • "God, Jesus and dialogue" - Professor Paul G. Weller (University of Derby) (September 2005)
  • "Diversity in Adventism: Boon or bane?" - Dr Reinder Bruinsma (Netherlands Union of Seventh-day Adventists) (March 2005)
  • "The medieval Anti-Christ on stage and page" - Professor Richard K. Emmerson (Medieval Academy of America) (February 2005)

2004

  • "Aspects of diversity in the ecumenical community" - Professor Mary Tanner (World Council of Churches) (November 2004 Beach Lecture)
  • "Race and the administration of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Britain, 1950-1980" - Anthea Davis (Independent scholar) (October 2004)
  • "Science, the Bible and diversity in Adventism" - Dr Laurence Turner (Newbold College) (September 2004)
  • "Priests, prelates and people: The last three centuries of European Catholicism" - Dr Frank Tallett (University of Reading) (March 2004)
  • "Diversity and post-modernism" - Pr Steve Palmer (North England Conference of Seventh-day Adventists/University of Derby) (February 2004)
  • "Religious diversity in the ancient Near East" - Dr Øystein S. LaBianca (Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, Andrews University) (January 2004)

2003

  • "Dialoguing with Muslims" - Oscar Osindo (South England Conference of Seventh-day Adventists) (November 2003)
  • "The Impact of Islam In Contemporary Western Europe" - Professor Jorgen S. Nielsen (Centre for the Study of Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations, University of Birmingham) (October 2003 Beach Lecture)
  • "Contextualising the gospel: Meeting the challenge in Europe’s diverse cultures" - Peter Roennfeldt (Trans-European Division of Seventh-day Adventists) (September 2003)
  • "Intercultural ministry and the Ethiopian eunuch: Theological and missiological implications of Acts 8:27-39" - Gifford Rhamie (Newbold College of Higher Education) (March 2003)
  • "How far can we go together? The Multi-Faith Centre (University of Derby) and issues in inter-faith dialogue: A case study" - Professor Paul Weller (University of Derby) (February 2003)

2002

  • "The anti-racist University: Can it be achieved?" - Dr Ian Law (University of Leeds) (November 2002)
  • "Contextualising the gospel: Meeting the challenge in Europe’s diverse cultures" - Dr Andrew Godley (University of Reading) (October 2002)
  • "Diversity and Church organisation" - Panel discussion: Marinko Markek (Newbold College of Higher Education), Helen Pearson (Churches Media Trust) and Richard Solly (Churches’ Commission for Racial Justice) (September 2002)
  • "Institutionalised Racism”: The implications of the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry for British police forces" - Dr Olu F. Ogunsakin (Bramshill Police Staff College) and Dr Albert A. C. Waite (Independent scholar) (March 2002)
  • "Models of success: Factors that contribute to African-Caribbean academic excellence in the United Kingdom" - Jasmine Rhamie (Institute of Education, London) (February 2002)
  • "The myth of secular tolerance" - Dr John Coffey (University of Leicester) (January 2002)

2001

  • "Meeting the challenge of Islam in contemporary Britain" - Val Bernard and Oscar Osindo (Newbold College of Higher Education) (November 2001)
  • "The challenge of diversity in education" - Orville Woolford (Trans-European Division of Seventh-day Adventists) (October 2001)

2000

  • "The challenge of diversity in education" - Dr Reinder Bruinsma (Trans-European Division of Seventh-day Adventists; International Religious Liberty Association) (Beach Lecture)

1999

  • "Preaching as Bridgebuilding" - Pr Ian Sweeney (Pastor, North England Conference of SDAs; 1998 Times ‘Preacher of the Year’) (Beach Lecture)

1998

  • "Pastoral Care In Multicultural Britain: White, Black Or Beige?’ (given as two lectures)" - Dr Emmanuel Lartey (Centre for Black and White Christian Partnership, Selly Oak Colleges, Birmingham) (Beach Lecture)

1997

  • " ‘God’s Word And Our Many Worlds’. 1: ‘The Worlds, The Word And The Modern Ecumenical Movement’ 2: ‘Diversity-In-Unity and Unity for Diversity’" - Dr Martin Conway (Selly Oak Colleges, Birmingham; British Council of Churches) (Beach Lecture)