Call for Short Papers
A key feature of the Union Evangelical Theology Research Conference (UETRC) is the opportunity for attendees to present their own research. Alongside our keynote addresses, there are opportunities to deliver a short research paper during our breakout sessions. The presentation should be no longer than 15 minutes, with a further 10 minutes for questions and discussion.
We are accepting abstracts in the following fields: Biblical Studies, Historical and Systematic Theology, Theology of Religions, Missiology, Practical and Pastoral Theology. The research must be presented from an evangelical perspective that aligns with Union School of Theology’s doctrinal statement.
Find out about how to apply, drafting your Abstract, and the review process:
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The application process to present your research consists of submitting an abstract of up to 300 words via Oxford Abstracts. We are accepting abstracts from 1 November 2026 to 31 December 2026. A decision will be made on each abstract by 31 January 2027. One abstract may be submitted per attendee.
Regarding your research, you might want to:
Adapt a section of an article, chapter or book you have already written.
Test an idea you have been working on with a theologically literate audience who would offer constructive feedback to develop it.
Give yourself an opportunity to explore and write on a fresh topic that you have not previously considered.
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Successful applicants will demonstrate in the abstract that their research is written from an evangelical perspective that contributes to a theological topic with contemporary relevance.
The following points will help when writing a good quality abstract:
Include a clear and engaging title of no more than 100 characters in length that avoids jargon and sensationalism.
Do not exceed 300 words, excluding the title.
Summarise the argument, including the thesis statements, the main evangelical contribution to the chosen topic, and its relevance for contemporary theology.
Briefly highlight how this research fits within literature context of the chosen discipline.
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Abstracts receive a two-stage review process. Stage One is general review by a member of the teaching team at Union, who will assign the abstract to a specialist in the chosen field for the second review (Stage Two). The abstract will be graded according to its ability to demonstrate evangelical research that contributes to a theological topic with contemporary relevance. The final decision will be communicated to the applicant via email by 31 January 2027.
Submit your abstract through Oxford Abstracts:
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In the contemporary era, two rather different approaches to the presentation of doctrinal history sit uneasily side-by-side. One is the presentation of two rival views through the writings of their main proponents, which could give the mistaken impression that both views were well (or even equally) represented in the early church. The second is the treatment of heresy as merely a matter of emphasis, not an absolute mistake, which could give the impression that "orthodoxy" is merely negative, a matter of avoiding extreme emphases on either side of the truth. Both of these modern approaches are prominent in the presentation of the fifth-century Christology controversies, and they lead to our perception that Chalcedonian orthodoxy involves merely mediating between competing views and avoiding extremes on both sides. But this is arguably a severe minimization of what the church actually said in the fifth century, a minimization that may impoverish not only our understanding of the history of doctrine, but even our understanding of biblical Christology.
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The Book of Exodus does more than develop the plot of the Book of Genesis. Genesis had taught us how to view ourselves in the land of Egypt. More broadly, Genesis had taught us how to view the whole world in relation to the God who creates and who saves. Exodus tells its magnificent history in ways that build on the lessons of Genesis. We can see that there is much more going on here than yet another tale of oppression and rescue. The God who made the world and who had already begun to redeem sinners, created something new by calling his people out of Egypt. We will see how this helps us to understand the Biblical Theology that the New Testament assumes.
Plenary Sessions
The following Plenary Sessions will be presented by Professor Donald Fairbairn and Dr Steffen Jenkins:
Get your ticket
Attendees will also need to book tickets for this event, with options for on-site overnight accommodation and meals. This applies to paper presenters as well as anyone wishing to attend the event as a listener. It is worth checking with your affiliated institution if funding is available to cover this cost.