Dr Selina Stone

Lecturer in Theology and Ethics

Background

Dr Selina Stone is a theologian and ethicist whose research, writing and teaching explore the possibilities and problems of our life together particularly in relation to power, liberation and wellbeing. Rooted in both womanism and Pentecostalism, her work is geared towards change making and healing both within Christian communities and in our wider social life. Her latest book 'A Heavy Yoke: Theology, Power and Abuse in the Church' was published by SCM Press in 2025. She is host of the Sunday School for Misfits podcast (2022-)

Prior to joining the University of Edinburgh, Dr Stone was Postdoctoral Research Associate in Theological Education at the University of Durham (2022-24). Her work included an oversight role within the Common Awards validation partnership, research and training for theological colleges on EDI and Decolonisation. Previously, she worked as Lecturer in Theology and Social Justice and Formation Tutor at St Mellitus college (2017-22). Her PhD in Pentecostal Theology and Ethics (University of Birmingham, 2021) was published as 'The Spirit and the Body: Towards a Womanist Pentecostal Social Justice Ethic' (Brill, 2023). She is also the author of 'Tarry Awhile: Wisdom from Black Spirituality for People of Faith' named the Archbishop of Canterbury's Lent Book 2024. She was the lead researcher for the national project on race and clergy wellbeing in the Church of England and author of the project report "If It Wasn't For God: A Report on Global Majority Heritage Clergy Wellbeing in the Church of England" (2022). 

 

 

 

Qualifications

PhD, University of Birmingham, 2021

MA, King's College London, 2014

BA, University of Birmingham, 2010

Responsibilities & affiliations

Selina is a member of the National Committee for the Society for the Study of Theology (2023-

Memberships: Society for the Study of Theology, Society for the Study of Christian Ethics, GloPent (Global Pentecostalism Network).

Undergraduate teaching

DIVI10133 Black Feminist/Womanist Theology and Ethics

DIVI10100 Public Theologies: Thinkers and Themes

DIVI08025 Christian Theology: Doctrines and Debates

DIVI08028 Theology and Religious Studies Foundation Seminar

 

 

Postgraduate teaching

THET11066 Public Theologies: Current Controversies

DIVI11081 Black Feminist/Womanist Theology and Ethics

Open to PhD supervision enquiries?

Yes

Areas of interest for supervision

I would be pleased to hear from prospective PhD students whose work falls within any of my main areas of research interest (listed below) and those broadly related.

 

Research summary

My research interests are wide ranging, but are overall concerned with the ethical impact of Christian doctrine, Church tradition and ministry practice especially on those facing marginalisation and oppression in the church, society and the world. My work is critical and constructive, with methods ranging from the historical and archival to the ethnographic, and from the biblical to the digital. My work has focussed especially on Reformed, Evangelical and Pentecostal contexts in the past and present. 

 

Current research interests

My current research interests include: constructions of divine providence during the transatlantic slave trade in the 18th century; Christian theology, ethics and abuses of power in contemporary churches; Christian theology, harm and wellbeing.

Past research interests

Pentecostal Theology, Spirituality and Ethics; Decolonisation and Theological Education.