Congratulations to Dr Emily Qureshi-Hurst and Dr Anastasia Badder!
Both have won recognition for their recent publications.
Science & Religion book of the year
Dr Qureshi-Hurst has won Book of the Year for her study, Salvation in the Block Universe. The award comes from the International Society for Science and Religion, which complimented the exceptional quality of writing.
The award announcement states:
“Qureshi-Hurst investigates a particularly challenging and under-explored issue on the interface of science and theology, i.e. how the ‘block universe’ theory of time can be reconciled with a Christian understanding of personal salvation.
“She provides a very clear exposition of the block universe; she then turns to Paul Tillich for a theological account of personal salvation and discusses how that should be interpreted; and finally argues that the two can be reconciled.
“These are complex matters, but the book is written with exceptional clarity and lucidity.”
Read more about Dr Qureshi-Hurst’s book.
Best article in Jewish Education
Dr Anastasia Badder has been awarded the Journal of Jewish Education’s prize for best article of 2024. Introduced in 2018, this prize recognises the blend of intellectual rigour and method as well as how the research advances the field.
Badder’s winning article is based on fieldwork in Luxembourg and draws attention to how different educators convey what is important to their students.
To quote the article’s abstract,
“Much research on part-time Jewish educational programs has focused on curricular content and pedagogy. Yet classrooms involve diverse exchanges about curricular subjects as well as those that appear little related to Jewish studies; both are motivated by assumptions about which things count as Jewish matters of concern and appropriate orientations to those things.
“Drawing on ongoing ethnographic fieldwork, this article proposes bringing a semiotic ideological lens to quotidian interactions as means to get at the “tacit curriculum” and aims of part-time schools, to better grasp what draws families to these schools, and to recognize the nuanced learning happening therein.”
Explaining their decision, the awards committee complimented the fresh, thorough research:
“Her findings are insightful and important, with implications for part time education in Europe and beyond. ... she focuses on the importance of context and ...explores connections and journeys, not only curriculum.
“The research was grounded in practice, well-written and beautifully expressed. We look forward to reading more of Anastasia’s work in the future.”
The article is available to read online open access, alongside previous winners.