Are you seeking a creative PhD opportunity that explores Religion and Diversity? This project integrates Arts-Based Research with Participatory Action Research to observe and analyze representation, followed by co-creating interventions that reshape perspectives on whiteness, race, and intentional inclusion. The project begins with Catholic parishes and extends to the broader community.

Project

• Utilize participant observation to gather and analyze how whiteness, diversity, and race are articulated and embodied in parish activities.
• Conduct focus groups to document initial participant perspectives on whiteness, diversity, and race as concepts, theories, and practices.
• Facilitate participant action workshops to explore and co-create resources and tools for intentional inclusivity through visual artistic expressions.
• Collaborate with the PostDoc to invite broader public dialogue through art shows, engaging in community conversations about whiteness, race, and intentional inclusivity.

Profile

• Strong writing and communication skills with a solid academic performance.
• Familiarity with the Catholic Church in Belgium is preferred (formal theological training is not required).
• Experience in qualitative methods or a willingness to learn quickly.
• Ability and willingness to work closely with other researchers and attend regular project meetings (sometimes in Vienna).
• High motivation and commitment to engage in additional training (methodology, etc.).
• Fluency in Dutch is required for fieldwork. Excellent English proficiency is required, and a basic understanding of German is a plus.

Offer

Interested?

For more information, please contact Prof. Dr. Annemie Dillen, tel.: +32 16 32 84 01, email: annemie.dillen@kuleuven.be.

KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful, and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.