College of Arts & Humanities news

The Rev Matthew Ross has been appointed as Researcher for the University of Glasgow’s Faith in Scotland’s Constitutional Future project.

The project is directed by Theology and Religious Studies staff Rev Dr Doug Gay and Professor Heather Walton.

 Matthew Ross has a keen interest in and experience of working on the relationship between theology, politics and constitutional change both in Scotland and internationally. He is a minister of the Church of Scotland and has served both in parish ministry and full-time in ecumenical relations. He has recently returned to Scotland after working for five years in Geneva with the World Council of Churches. He has also worked as General Secretary of Action of Churches Together in Scotland and with the Conference of European Churches based in Brussels. He has a Master of Theology degree from the University of Glasgow, as well as degrees in Law and Divinity from the University of Edinburgh.

Mr Ross said: “I am delighted to have been appointed to this role. It is vital that churches engage constructively with debates on constitutional change both within Scotland and internationally – not out of self-interest, but by promoting human dignity through justice, peace and reconciliation globally. The theological implications and questions that might not be asked in other forums must be raised.”

 The Faith in Scotland’s Constitutional Future project will engage with churches across Scotland to encourage Christians to reflect on key questions about Scotland's constitutional future, whether as an independent country or remaining within the UK. The research process will be launched at a Day Conference in Glasgow on Saturday 7^th October, followed by 12 regional consultations across the length and breadth of Scotland. Participants in this ecumenical, non-partisan and politically neutral project will be invited to respond to presentations on how to relate faith to constitutional questions and take part in facilitated discussions based on Jesuit Discernment in Common principles.

The project is supported by the Paristamen Charity. Professor Gareth Morgan, Chair of the Trustees of the Paristamen Charity, said: “It is clear that Matthew Ross brings a huge range of relevant skills to this project - we look forward to working with him and the rest of the Glasgow theology team."

This project is supported by The Paristamen Charity, a small grant-making charity based in East Lothian, Scotland. Founded in 1985, in recent years it has awarded a wide range of grants mainly to smaller Scottish charities, and one larger “Blue Sky” grant. It is governed by four trustees who have a range of Christian affiliations and varying political views.

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First published: 24 August 2023