Life on the Breadline: Christianity, Poverty and Politics in the 21st century city

During the ‘age of austerity’, faith groups have become increasingly visible and important players in civil society politics in the UK, particularly in relation to rising levels of poverty in urban areas. Faith groups continue to possess significant levels of localised social capital and, because of their deep roots in many local communities, are often at the forefront of the battle to tackle poverty.

Life on the Breadline: Christianity, Poverty and Politics in the 21st century city is an interdisciplinary contextual theology project. Based on six ethnographic case studies and more than 100 interviews with Christian NGOs, church leaders and activists in Birmingham, London and Manchester; the project represents the first sustained and evidence-based academic theological analysis of the impact that the ‘age of austerity’ has had on the Christian engagement with poverty in the UK since the 2008 financial crash. The project will give rise to a wide range of outputs, which will have a significant impact within and beyond the academy.

For more details about Life on the Breadline and/or to contribute to the project, please email Dr Chris Shannahan: [email protected]