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Eric Stoddart

Lecturer in Practical Theology

es61My main research interests lie in surveillance and in digital technologies more generally - all from a practical theological perspective.

In a nutshell, I am curious about the faith which our societies place in technologies as supposed solutions to relationship challenges across a whole host of levels and in a multitude of contexts.

This integrates my explorations of citizenship, ecclesial communities and gadgets.

By developing an inter-disciplinary research network I am keen to facilitate critical enquiry into the surveillance of religious groups and those groups use of surveillance to monitor and orchestrate the behaviour of their own members.

I am open to enquiries for PhD supervision in practical theological investigations of digital technologies and, most specifically, of mechanisms of surveillance.

Explanations of my surveillance research for academics, the public, and professionals are now available.

I am a member of the International Academy of Practical Theology (IAPT).

Surveillance & Religion Network Logo 

I am currently the editor of the journal Practical Theology. Editorial enquiries and submission of articles for publication: prthjournal@gmail.com

PTJournal 

New Book: Theological Perspectives on a Surveillance Society: Watching and Being Watched

Published 18 May 2010 by Ashgate.

Theological Perspectives on a Surveillance Society

This book looks at contemporary surveillance practices and ideologies from a Christian theological perspective. Surveillance studies is an emerging, inter-disciplinary field that brings together scholars from sociology, criminology, political studies, computing and information studies, cultural studies and other disciplines.

Although surveillance has been a feature of all societies since humans first co-operated to watch over one another whilst hunting and gathering it is the convergence of information technologies within both commerce and the state that has ushered in a 'surveillance society'.

There has been little, if any, theological consideration of this important dimension of social organisation; this book fills the gap and offers a contribution to surveillance studies from a theological perspective, broadening the horizon against which surveillance might be interpreted and evaluated.

This book is also an exercise in consciousness-raising with respect to the Christian community in order that they may critically engage with a surveillance society by drawing on biblical and theological resources. Being the first major theological treatment in the field it sets the agenda for more detailed considerations.

Published by Ashgate.

Publications

Stoddart, E 2013, ' (In)visibility and the Process of Public Theology ' International Journal of Public Theology , vol 7, no. 1, pp. 45-64.
Stoddart, E Written evidence to House of Lords & House of Commons, Joint Committee on Draft Communications Data Bill, Session 2012-13 .
Stoddart, E Written evidence to, 'A Scotland for Children' - the public consultation on the Children's & Young People's Bill .
Stoddart, E 2012, ' Current Thinking in Pastoral Theology ' The Expository Times , vol 123, no. 7, pp. 323-333.
Stoddart, E 2012, ' Scottish Surveillance Policy: Holding the Line '. in M Leith, I McPhee & T Laxton (eds), Scottish Devolution and Social Policy: Evidence from the First Decade . Cambridge Scholars Publishing, Newcastle, pp. 11-29.
Stoddart, E 2012, ' A surveillance of care: Evaluating surveillance ethically '. in K Ball, K Haggerty & D Lyon (eds), Routledge Handbook of Surveillance Studies. Routledge International Handbooks, Routledge, pp. 369-376.
Stoddart, E 2011, ' Digital Privacy: A Squandered Gift ' Modern Believing , vol 52, no. 4, pp. 23-28.
Stoddart, E 2011, Theological Perspectives on a Surveillance Society: Watching and being Watched . Explorations in Practical, Pastoral and Emprirical Theology, Ashgate.
Stoddart, E 2011, ' Watching and Being Watched: An Interview with Dr Eric Stoddart ' Fermentations , vol 2, no. 2, pp. 7-12.
Stoddart, E 2010, ' The risk of 'risk' ' Bible in TransMission , vol Summer.
Stoddart, E 2009, ' Liberation, not independence: a practical theological paradigm for people in Scotland ' Theology in Scotland , vol 16, no. 1, pp. 15-28.
Stoddart, E 2008, ' Who Watches the Watchers? Towards an Ethic of Surveillance in a Digital Age ' Studies in Christian Ethics , vol 21, no. 3, pp. 362-381.
Stoddart, E 2008, ' Under Surveillance: Theological Resources to Subvert Categorical Suspicion ' Theology , vol 111, no. 864, pp. 412-419.
Stoddart, E 2008, ' Restrictions on the Gospel: Some Illegitimate Concerns of Evangelicals ' Modern Believing , vol 49, no. 1, pp. 4-15.
Stoddart, E 2008, ' Yes, No, Cancel: Clicking Our Way to a Public Theology of Cyberdemocracy ' International Journal of Public Theology , vol 2, no. 3, pp. 328-353.
Stoddart, E & Johnson, M 2008, ' Retail Faith: Relationships of Theology, Economics, Need and Desire in the UK Christian Bookstore ' Practical Theology , vol 1, no. 3, pp. 323-340.
Stoddart, E 2008, ' Bespoke Theology for the Bereaved? ' Bible in TransMission , vol Winter.
Stoddart, E 2007, ' Spirituality and Citizenship: Sacramentality in a Parable ' Theological Studies , vol 68, no. 4, pp. 761-779.
Stoddart, E 2007, ' Jerry Springer – The Opera: Its Unintended Message? ' Contact: Practical Theology and Pastoral Care , vol 154, pp. 32-41.
Stoddart, E 2006, ' Rehabilitating Hell for Social Criticism ' Theology , vol 109, no. 851, pp. 353-362.
Stoddart, E 2006, ' The Cost of Floral Tributes ' Contact: Practical Theology and Pastoral Care , vol 149, pp. 28-37.
Stoddart, E 2006, ' Church of Scotland Ministers as Representative of the Theological Outlook of Scotland's Clergy ' Journal of Contemporary Religion , vol 21, no. 1, pp. 69-81.
Stoddart, E 2006, ' Spirituality in Scotland ' Implicit Religion , vol 9, no. 3, pp. 283-304.
Stoddart, E & Pryce, G 2005, ' Aversion to Raising Hell ' Journal of Empirical Theology , vol 18, no. 2, pp. 129-153.
Stoddart, E 2005, ' Excommunication in Contemporary Scotland ' Modern Believing , vol 46, no. 4, pp. 11-19.
Stoddart, E 2005, ' What is Our Liturgy Doing to Us? ' Studia Liturgica , vol 35, no. 1, pp. 100-110.
Stoddart, E 2004, ' A Christian Contribution to a Healthy Lifestyle Debate ' Scottish Journal of Healthcare Chaplaincy , vol 7, no. 2, pp. 3-9.
Stoddart, E 2004, ' Hell in Scotland: A Survey of Where the Nations' Clergy Think Some Might Be Heading ' Contact: Practical Theology and Pastoral Care , vol 143, pp. 14-27.
Stoddart, E 2004, ' Living Theology: A Methodology for Issues-led Theological Reflection in Higher Education ' British Journal of Theological Education , vol 14, no. 2, pp. 187-207.
Stoddart, E 2001, ' Addressing the Dead: A Pastoral Response ' Contact: Practical Theology and Pastoral Care , vol 134, pp. 18-26.
Stoddart, E 2000, ' A Consumer's Canopy: The Mall as a Social Matrix of Contemporary Eschatology ' Theology , vol 103, no. 815, pp. 356-364.
Stoddart, E 1998, ' Dementia Care: Supporting a Plea for Personhood ' Scottish Journal of Healthcare Chaplaincy , vol 1, pp. 9-11.

Education and career

  • B.D. University of Aberdeen
  • Ph.D. University of Aberdeen

Career

  • Lecturer in Practical Theology, University of St Andrews, 2005-
  • Lecturer in Practical Theology, University of Aberdeen, 2003-2004
  • Programmes Director, Scottish Churches Open College, 2000-2003
  • Research Student, University of Aberdeen, 1996-2000
  • Associate Minister in a Scottish Baptist Church, 1985-1996

Other professional activities

  • Editor of Practical Theology (2011- )
  • Co-chair of The British & Irish Association of Practical Theology (BIAPT) (2006-2009).
  • An Associate Director of the Centre for the Study of Religion & Politics (CSRP), University of St Andrews.
  • A Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
  • External Examiner, on behalf of Bangor University, of BTh Bible and Theology, MTh in Practical Theology, MA in Mission and MA in Missional Leadership at Mattersey Hall Bible College (2008-2011).
  • External Examiner, on behalf of the University of Manchester, of BA (Hons) Contextual Theology programme at the Partnership for Theological Education, Manchester (2002 - 2007).
  • External Examiner, on behalf of the University of Paisley, of BD in Theology and Pastoral Studies programme at the Scottish Baptist College (2006 - ).
  • Accreditation Consultant to The Scottish Baptist College, the University of Paisley (Spring 2005).
  • Accreditation Consultant to The Open College Counselling Training Trust, Edinburgh (Spring 2005).

University Administrative Roles

  • Director of Operations, School of Divinity (2010- )
  • Distance Learning Officer, School of Divinity (2005- )
  • Undergraduate Admissions Officer, School of Divinity (2006-2009)
  • Acting Postgraduate Officer, School of Divinity (semester 2, 2007-2008)
  • Webmaster, School of Divinity (2005- )

University Teaching

  • Co-ordinator of interdisciplinary schools placement module for the Faculties of Arts and Divinity: 'Communication in the Arts and Humanities' ID4002 (2010- ).
  • Co-ordinator of 'Living Faith' our first year undergraduate practical theology module DI1012 (2011- ).
  • Co-ordinator of 'Theology, Spirituality and Pastoral Care' DI4800 (2006- ).
  • Co-ordinator of 'Citizenship: A Practical Theological Exploration' DI4822 (2005-2009).
  • Co-ordinator of 'Digital Faith' - a module within our MLitt / PGDip Distance Learning postgraduate programme 'Bible and the Contemporary World' (2011- ).
  • Undergraduate honours dissertation, MLitt dissertation and PhD candidate supervision.

Contact details

Dr Eric Stoddart
Lecturer in Practical Theology

St Mary's College
The School of Divinity
University of St Andrews
South Street
St Andrews
Fife KY16 9JU
Scotland, United Kingdom

Tel: + 44 (0)1334 462841
Fax: + 44 (0)1334 462852

Skype: es61andrews

Documents

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