Dr Hannah Mather BA (Hons) (MMU) BA (Hons) (LST/MDX) PhD (LST/MDX), FRSA

• BA (Hons) in History of Art and Design, Manchester Metropolitan University (2000)
• BA (Hons) in Theology, London School of Theology (2014)
• PhD in Pneumatology, Hermeneutics, and Modern History, London School of Theology (2019)
• Diploma in Professional Coaching Practice (ICF ACTP), Full Circle Global, Edinburgh (2021)

I have a variety of research interests which all feed into an overarching interest in the role(s) of faith and spirituality in contemporary society. I am fascinated with the relationship between private and public expression, considering topics such as how, to what extent, and in what ways matters of faith and/or spirituality are expressed and manifest in the public sphere. I understand the public sphere as an arena for societal communications including those political, professional, religious, humanitarian, and cultural. These five areas are of course interlinked.

These interests have been germinating since my doctoral work (2014–2019) for which I received a pass without corrections. The edited published version, The Interpreting Spirit: Spirit, Scripture, and Interpretation in the Renewal Tradition (2020) was given the 2021 Book Award of Excellence by The Foundation for Pentecostal Scholarship. See research interests for more on this.

I am also a Certified Professional Coach and member of the International Coaching Federation. I established Hannah Mather Coaching and Development in 2020 after initial qualifications, completing my diploma in 2021. I work with clients on a range of topics that usually relate to professional identity and also incorporate personal dimensions. I coach around three core principles of growth, realignment, and transformation. These are drawn from my hermeneutical and pneumatological specialisms and integrated in ways that are appropriate for each individual, their needs and backgrounds etc.  

I started my working life in London’s marketing sector where my focus became business and people development. I enjoyed my career but began to realise that this environment was not completely right for me. In pursuit of a space that fitted me better, I made an instinctive decision to leave my marketing manager role. I relinquished career progression, recognition, and financial security (hard things to release) but this enabled a return to higher education and seven years of uninterrupted thinking time. Ultimately, I uncovered parts of myself that may not have been discovered had I not taken that step of faith into what was at that point, the unknown.

 Research interests include:

• Contemporary approaches to biblical interpretation and hermeneutics, especially Pentecostal and charismatic approaches.
• Pneumatology. In particular the transformational work of the Holy Spirit in the individual, the community, and society structures (also how this pneumatic work can be hindered).
• Recent history (1960s onwards), especially in order to facilitate awareness and generate understanding of different faith groups, cultures, and societies.
• Values and spirituality in public and private spheres.

My PhD research at London School of Theology (2014–2019) covered pneumatology, hermeneutics, and modern history. The thesis considered ways the Holy Spirit works to communicate with Christian believers as they read and engage with scripture. This was approached via a diachronic analysis of 50 years of writing on this subject by renewal scholars. I received a pass without corrections for this work.

The edited published version, The Interpreting Spirit: Spirit, Scripture, and Interpretation in the Renewal Tradition (2020), was awarded the 2021 Book Award of Excellence by The Foundation for Pentecostal Scholarship. One academic book is given this award each year, voted on by boards of directors and advisors. It was given ‘in recognition of her efforts to broaden and enrich the knowledge and understanding of Pentecostal issues throughout Christendom.’

My interests in recent history and religion and culture is linked to a desire to generate awareness of what is special and unique about different people groups. I feel strongly that there is too much criticism of others in society today so I work to communicate (in all written and oral forms) in ways that celebrate rather than criticise. I am not perfect at this but I keep working at it. 

Whilst theological interests came later, interests in modern history and societal influence stem from my first bachelor’s degree. The History of Art and Design degree programme emphasised 20^th century social and cultural impact and it is these learnings that remain with me some twenty years later. My honours dissertation, Pioneers in the North West: the Work of the Civic Trust for the North West with an Emphasis on Operational Springclean 1968, concerned the largely unreported beginnings of environmental campaigning and cultural change in recent British history. I received a first-class grade and was recommended to publish the work. Regrettably I did not take this advice.

RSA Fellow

• For the royal society for arts, manufactures and commerce.
  

Hannah Mather Coaching and Development

• Visit the Hannah Mather Coaching and Developement website

Memberships

• American Academy of Religion
  
• International Coaching Federation
  
• Society for Pentecostal Studies