SEI was thrilled to learn this week that it has been awarded a Common Awards Seedcorn Grant to run a year-long research project entitled ‘Greening the curriculum; steps towards formational integration’, in conjunction with The Scottish College (Congregational and United Reformed) and Eco-Congregation Scotland.
In informing us of the Panel’s decision, Mike Higton, Professor in Theology and Ministry in the Common Awards Team and in Durham University, said, ‘I’m delighted to be able to say that the Seedcorn Grant panel has agreed to fund your project in full. We very much liked the application, and look forward to seeing the project develop.’
The joint project seeks to investigate the effects of adopting a transversal approach to the consideration of creation care across the lives of the two theological institutions in partnership with Eco-Congregation Scotland. All three organisations believe that if students are to emerge from their formation as ministers committed to leading the people of God in their discipleship and participation in the biblical mandate of creation care, then they themselves need to be formed as co-creative care-givers, undergoing what Laudato Si’ calls ‘a profound interior conversion’.
The three partners will thus engage in a qualitative research project seeking to measure how effectively the environmentally-focussed provisions already instituted within the curricula of the two theological institutions have caused such a change of heart and mind; and, in conversation with Eco-Congregation Scotland, analyse what further developments require to be embedded in the curricula in order to achieve better integration in future.
On hearing the news Stephen Curran, Manager, Eco-Congregation Scotland said: ‘Delighted to hear this in the days before General Synod. It was good to see this recognised so positively by the Seedcorn Grant panel.’
The Revd Dr John McNeil Scott, Principal of The Scottish College said: ‘The Scottish College is delighted that the Seedcorn grant panel have endorsed this wonderful initiative. We look forward to sharing good practice, trying out new ideas with our colleagues in the SEI and Eco-Congregation Scotland, and building an evidence base for concrete action that can be shared and developed further. This is a project for long term change and learning. We recognise the leadership and innovation in this area that the SEI bring to the table and look forward to all that we shall discover together.’
