Dr KATIE CROSS

Biography

I am Christ’s College Lecturer in Practical Theology, and, in official terms, the first woman to teach for Christ’s College since its foundation in 1843. My work and teaching is centred around theologies of trauma, suffering, and disaster. My first monograph (published by Routledge in 2020) was a theological engagement with issues of suffering in an increasingly non-religious UK context, and involved a qualitative study of the Sunday Assembly, a “godless congregation.” I have also co-edited two volumes on trauma theology, both published by SCM Press: Feminist Trauma Theologies: Body, Scripture and Church in Critical Perspective (2020) and Bearing Witness: Intersectional Perspectives on Trauma Theology (2022). 

My research on trauma often takes me away from my desk and into conversation with practitioners, charities, churches and other organisations. Most recently, I have collaborated with Press Red, an organisation which aims to educate and empower on issues of violence and domestic abuse.

Diversity and inclusion is an important part of my work. I run our women’s network, Sophia, which exists to support, advocate for, and empower women and minoritised students in theology.

I am also active in the guild of practical theology. I am a member of the editorial board of the journal Practical Theology and an assistant editor for Practical Theology Hub.

Research Overview

• Trauma theology
• Theology and disaster/religious responses to tragic events
• Theodicy and the problem of evil
• Secularity, atheism and unbelief
• Non-religious spirituality
• Church leavers and "unchurched" Christians
• Qualitative research/qualitative methodologies 

Knowledge Exchange

Church Times, "Our polite evasion is a threat to survival" (August 2021) A short opinion piece on privilege, materialism, and climate anxiety in churches.

smallVoice Podcast, “A Thousand Words" (June 2021) A discussion about my work in trauma, centred on theologies of Holy Saturday.

Politics in the Pulpit, “Episode 14 with Katie Cross” (June 2021) A discussion for the Joint Public Issues Team (JPIT) podcast, on the need for politics in theology. Topics of protest, hostile environment, and trauma theology are also covered.

The Shiloh Project, “Traumatised People Are Not Your Mission Field” (April 2021) A short blog for The Shiloh Project on the uneasy relationship between trauma and church mission.