When opportunities arise within Design themes and areas for inspiration, this landing page is ideal in introducing to students that we have a space entitled the ‘UAL Religion and Belief Group’ with a Research Lead, being Reina Lewis, which was established in 2012. To have contacts to register for Faith mailings faithandfashion@fashion.arts.ac.uk and a Community of Practice, in Thomas Madden gives context and a real setting, for students and staff to know, that there is a place to belong for interest in this area in a practical sense.
To be able to advise and signpost key related areas such as ‘Quiet Space, Religious Observance and Festivals Calendar, Chaplaincy, Equality Challenge Unit: Religion and Belief, Faith Identities Project, and Terms of Reference’ gives relevance to students, demonstrating that Religion + Belief or no belief has a space within our HE institute.
Citing an example, I can share that in our team teaching session, Azleen + I, in an introductory session on Inspirational Research, I have shared some of my intersectionalities, that being raised in a Punjabi-speaking household in Oxford, which was also a Christian home. The values instilled and nurtured in me, one being of reading the Bible and or my personal devotional time, including prayer, meditation and reading, have shaped me as a person. In one of the PowerPoint slides, I show my Bible, which was gifted to me by my parents. This level of visual and verbal communication, demonstrates vulnerability, underpins my guiding principles, and can empower my students to share their authentic selves. It suggests reflection and encourages conversation.
Image taken from landing page: https://canvas.arts.ac.uk/sites/explore/SitePage/46573/ual-religion-and-belief-group