The Durham Centre for Catholic Studies is the first of its kind in British higher education. It represents a creative partnership between academy and church: a centre within the pluralist, public academy for critically constructive Catholic studies of the highest academic standing. The aims of the Centre for Catholic Studies are: -To provide a distinctive forum for the creative analysis of key issues in Catholic thought, culture, and practice. -To engage, inform and shape public and ecclesial life from a leading knowledge and research base. -To engage the breadth and depth of Catholic tradition in conversation both with the full range of disciplines and perspectives in a leading university and with the range of other faith traditions. -To develop and pursue major collaborative and interdisciplinary research projects and to attract associated grant awards and philanthropic support. -To model a vibrant and inclusive community of scholars of Catholicism and practitioners of Catholic theology. -To form outstanding theologians who will shape the future from the richness of Catholic tradition in the church, academy, and public life. -To foster and develop excellent working relationships with relevant regional, national and international public and ecclesial bodies.