Dr Rebecca Watson
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Job title: Visiting Research Fellow in Biblical Studies
Email: R.Watson1@derby.ac.uk
Phone No: 01449 737462
Recent publications
- 2005 - Chaos Uncreated: A Reassessment of The Theme of "Chaos" in the Hebrew Bible (BZAW; Berlin: Walter de Gruyter)
- Forthcoming - Co-editing with David Chalcraft and Frauke Uhlenbruch, New Directions in Biblical Studies: Social Scientific and Cultural Approaches (Sheffield: Sheffield Phoenix).
- Forthcoming - '"I Shall Not Want"? A Psychological Interpretation of Psalm 23' in David Chalcraft, Rebecca S. Watson and Frauke Uhlenbruch (edd.), New Directions in Biblical Studies: Social Scientific and Cultural Approaches (Sheffield: Sheffield Phoenix).
- Forthcoming - Co-editing with Dr Adrian Curtis (Manchester University) and contributing substantially to a book provisionally entitled 'How long will you go limping with two different opinions?' Creative Conversations on Canaan and the Bible (Berlin: de Gruyter)
- Forthcoming - '"Therefore we will not fear"? The Psalms of Zion in Psycho-Linguistic Perspective' in Hilary Marlow and James Aitken (edd.), The City in the Hebrew Bible (OUP)
Faculty: Education, Health and Sciences
School: School of Health and Social Care
Subject Area: Biblical Studies
I am a Visiting Research Fellow in Biblical Studies and a member of the Society, Religion and Belief research cluster
Teaching responsibilities
I am free of teaching resposibilities at Derby - one of the delights of being a research fellow! - but teach in Cambridge. I am currently responsible for online versions of modules in 'Reading the Bible' and 'Biblical Exegesis'.
Professional interests
After undergraduate study in Theology at Oxford, I completed a MA in Theological Research at Durham before returning to Oxford to undertake doctoral work on 'Chaos' in the Psalter. My first post as a lecturer was at St Martin's College, Lancaster (now the University of Cumbria) and at the theological training course for the North West. I combine my role in Derby with responsibilities in Cambridge, where I am a lecturer and Director of Studies for the Eastern Region Ministery Course, part of the Cambridge Theological Federation. Contrary to stereotypes, then, my teaching and admin is centred around Cambridge, whereas my research is based in Derby!
Research interests
I am a specialist in Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), and my chief interests are in the relation between the Bible and the wider Ancient Near Eastern culture in which it arose, and in the Psalter.
Membership of professional bodies and advisory committees
I am a member of the Society for Old Testament Study (SOTS) and the Society of Biblical Literature (SBL)
Recent Conferences
'Contextualising The Psalms of Zion: A Social-Psychological Approach', Society, Religion and Belief Research Group Seminar, University of Derby, 22/3/12
'"Churning the Mighty Waters": a Dialogue on Habakkuk 3', Society for Old Testament Study (SOTS) Winter meeting, 3-5/1/12
'"Therefore we will not fear"? The Psalms of Zion in Psycho-Linguistic Perspective', University of Cambridge Conference, 'The City in the Hebrew Bible', 6-8/4/2011
'Beside troubled Waters? The Psycho-Linguistic undercurrents of Psalm 23', Cambridge Theological Federation Regional Courses staff seminar, 25/11/10
Undergraduate qualifications
- BA (Hons) Theology, University of Oxford
- MA Theology, University of Oxford
Postgraduate qualifications
- MA Theological Research, University of Durham
Research qualifications
- Theology ('The Theme of "Chaos" in the Psalter: A Re-assessment', University of Oxford
