World-leading research
'A'-rated by our external assessors.
Our Department is research-led. All members of staff have been recognized as producing international quality research, demonstrating consistent research excellence across the whole Department.
The Department is ranked third in the country on the basis of its 4* and 3* publications (2008 Research Assessment Exercise). Exceptionally, 65% of the work was in the top categories of world-leading and internationally excellent.
Current research projects
Affiliated research networks
Staff members are highly active in all the leading learned societies. These include the Society of Biblical Literature, Society of Old Testament Studies, British New Testament Society, Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas, and European Association of Biblical Studies.
The Department is also well known for its long history of involvement with publishing in biblical studies, from sitting on the editorial boards of the leading academic journals (e.g. Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, Journal for the Study of the Historical Jesus, Postscripts, Biblical Interpretation, Old Testament Abstracts, Sapentia) to pioneering monograph series for international publishers (e.g. Oxford University Press, Equinox and Sheffield Phoenix Press).
More information
Research Seminars
The Department hosts a prominent research seminar programme with research papers given by visiting speakers, Sheffield members of staff, and our own research students. This is a chance to hear the latest research from some of the leading biblical scholars in the world.
Seminars are open to the general public, and are held weekly during term-time.
Seminar programme
Visiting scholars
In addition to our permanent staff, the Department regularly hosts visiting scholars, who take advantage of our facilities to assist their research – and contribute to our teaching and research environment, including the research seminar programme.
Postgraduate research
The Department is home to a large postgraduate community. Our MA programmes provide a stepping-stone for graduates preparing for research degrees, while our MPhil-PhD programme currently supports more than thirty students, each focused on their own individual field of doctoral research.
Profiles of our current research students may be accessed via the staff profile page:
Postgraduate research profiles
Undergraduate research
All undergraduates undertake a research project during their final year, working under the supervision of a staff member to produce a 10 000-word dissertation (or 5000 words for dual honours students). Dissertations provide a valued contribution to the department's overall research, and it is not unusual for undergraduate research topics to be pursued or developed further at a later date.
Other research activities
Postgraduate students also have the opportunity to participate in reading groups geared toward their research interests.
The department has extensive contacts with biblical scholars around the UK and internationally, and assists students in networking with and locating others with common interests.
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