In 2024, JLI developed a new training course introducing faith actors to religions and development research. The course accompanies JLI’s flagship State of the Evidence on Religions and Development report. It aims to strengthen faith actors’ capacity to demonstrate the impact of their work through research and evidence in policy, practice, and donor spaces.
The course covers key themes in religion and development, such as peacebuilding, gender, health, environment, and decolonization. It also includes training on conducting research and incorporates practical modules in which faith actors are supported to lead their own research projects.
2023-2024 Course pilot
The course was developed in 2023-2024 with financial support from Trinity Church Wall Street. JLI partnered with five Anglican colleges in Kenya, Malawi, the Philippines, South Africa and Sri Lanka to co-create the course materials using collaborative, participatory processes.
The colleges identified topics of priority interest, shared preferences in terms of course format and activities, reviewed course teaching materials, and co-created the course reading lists.
The five colleges then piloted the course with their local communities in 2024, engaging over 100 students worldwide, including clergy and community members, practitioners, and researchers. Based on the pedagogical principles of participation, ownership, solidarity, creativity, and flexibility, the course prioritized the input and involvement of every student in the classroom.
Explore the course
The course materials are open-access and available to all. Explore the course teaching materials below.
Instructors’ Manual
Instructors’ Manual
Module 1 – Topics in Religions and Development
Session 1: Introduction to Religions and Development
Session 2: Climate Change and Religions
Session 3: Religions, Health and Development
Session 4: Gender, Development and Religions
Session 5: Peacebuilding, Development and Religions
Session 6: Decolonisation, Development and Religions
Module 2 – Doing Research
Session 1: Introduction to Research
Session 2: Research Design
Session 3: Data Collection
Session 4: Data Management and Analysis
Session 5: Research Dissemination
Module 3 – Practical Application
Session 1: Planning projects I
Session 2: Planning projects II
Sessions 3 & 4: Discussing ongoing research
Session 5: Reflection and feedback
To learn more about the course, contact Dr Olivia Wilkinson ([email protected])
Navigate through the learning paper online
Following the pilot year and feedback from participants and instructors, this learning paper describes the main pedagogical methods and adaptations suggested for the future implementation of the course. We advise future instructors to consult this learning paper before implementing the course.
Student Contributions
Religion and Development: Towards a Sri Lankan Spirituality
“Religion and Development: Towards a Sri Lankan Spirituality” is a research output from students of CIEF’s program in Sri Lanka, conducted as part of JLI’s course on Religion and Development. The paper explores the unique intersection of religion and development through the lens of Sri Lankan spirituality.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this document are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official stance of JLI.
I want to join this course
Thank you for your interest in the course! While JLI has developed the course materials, we do not offer the course directly. We encourage you to reach out to one of the institutions that have already hosted the course or contact another institution to inquire if they would be interested in offering it. Let us know if you need further information!
A bulk download would be nice 🙂
Thank you for this excellent suggestion, it has been added!