About the researchers
Dr. Naomi Thompson is a Reader in Youth and Community Work and Head of the Department of Social, Therapeutic and Community Studies (STaCS) at Goldsmiths University of London. She is a sociologist of youth, faith and inclusion. Her research explores issues of inclusion and exclusion for young people and communities across a range of intersectional identities including faith, race and gender. She is interested in people’s engagement with religious and other institutions. Her recent publications explore the secular culture of youth work training, community work with migrant and refugee women, and young people’s engagement with religion. She is the project lead for the Faith in Funerals project.
Steve Cheal is a researcher for Goldsmiths University on the ‘Faith in Funerals’ project. He has been an Independent Celebrant for seven years, working across London and the South-East of England and specialising in funerals. Steve was formerly the Director of Care and Youth for a national grant giving charity, and previously led a youth charity in East London. He is a family court Magistrate and is engaged in a range of charitable roles, including being a trustee for the SYP Trust, which funds youth provision charities in London. Steve is also the Chair of his local RAF squadron, CivCom and, with experience presenting at UK and international conferences, runs public speaking workshops for young people and adults.
Professor Chris Baker is Professor of Religion, Belief and Public Life at Goldsmiths University of London, as well as Director of Research for the William Temple Foundation. His research and publications analyse the impact of lived religion and lived belief on the public square, in particular the intersection of religion and belief on urban and community development; political activism; environmentalism, and inclusion and diversity policy. His recent work includes two major pieces of national research for the APPG for Faith and Society on evolving partnerships between faith-based actors and local authorities in response to COVID-19 (Keeping the Faith Reports 1 & 2) (2022, 2022). His latest book Reimaging Religion, Belief and Activism in a Postdigital Age will be published by Routledge in 2024.