Charlotte Bray

Dr Charlotte Bray joined the Lincoln Theological Institute at Manchester University as a postdoctoral research associate in September 2023. Her current research project is called 'Anti-Racism and Power in International Development: A Catholic Theological Approach.' Charlotte graduated with a PhD from Durham University in 2023. Her thesis constructively developed the idea of social sin within Catholic theological thought. She drew on a diverse range of thinkers from various disciplines including Judith Butler, Latin American Liberation Theologians, Thomas Aquinas, and leading figures in Catholic social thought. Charlotte has previously held the position of CAFOD's Lead Trustee for Racial Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

Her book entitled 'Sin and the Vulnerability of Embodied Life: Towards a Catholic Theology of Social Sin' has been published by Bloomsbury in their series T&T Clark Studies in Systematic Theology.

Research interests include: Catholic social thought and practice; Liberation theologies; Political Theology; theological ethics; theological anthropology; Judith Butler and Queer Theory; the theological principles which underlie Christian commitments to anti-racism, equity, diversity and inclusion; and Christian theologies of sin and grace, particularly concerning the social and structural dimensions of sin.

Dr Charlotte Bray's current research project is called 'Anti-Racism and Power in International Development: A Catholic Theological Approach.' Issues of race and power are embedded in the international development sector's history and ways of working. The theological principles underlying Christian commitments to charity, international development and 'aid', while seemingly well-intentioned, have historically perpetuated the white gaze and contributed to white saviour narratives. Recently there have been calls for organisations within the sector to 'decolonise' their ways of working and commit to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) initiatives. This project aims to develop a theological basis for anti-racism, EDI, and 'decolonising development' work within the UK's international development and humanitarian aid sector. Through dialogue with Catholic practitioners, this project seeks to better resource Catholic organisations to make connections between the practical realities of EDI and anti-racism work and their values and identities as faith-based organisations. It will critically engage with Catholic social teaching and various political and liberation theologies to constructively develop a theological response to structural racism and the inequitable power dynamics present within the sector.