Missiology and Practical Theology Conference

Friday 15th August, 2025.

Hosted Via Zoom Only

Program: *Please note all times are in AEST. 

9am - Welcome

9:10am - Keynote “Demonstrating Validity in Qualitative Research” - Rev Prof Philip Hughes.

10:10am - Break

10:20am - Greetings and Advice from the AUT: Louise Gosbell — AUT Research Manager

10:30am - Workshop electives:

• Confirmation of Candidature and ethics (Tom)
• Data Collection and analysis (Ian)
• Write up

11:30am - Student 3 Minute Theses — Part 1

12:30pm - Break

1pm - Student 3 Minute Theses — Part 2

2pm - Break

2:10pm - Faculty Research Presentation

3:10pm - Methodology Workshop

4pm - Finish

Keynote Speaker: Rev Prof Philip Hughes.

The keynote speaker for the 2025 conference is Rev Prof Philip Hughes has graduate qualifications in philosophy, education and theology. From 1978 to 1982, he undertook his doctorate mostly in northern Thailand, examining the rise of the Christian community within a Buddhist context, and developing his skills in sociology, anthropology and the theology of culture.

From 1985 to 2016, he was the senior research officer with the Christian Research Association. Between 1997 and 2008, he was also employed by the Centre for Social Justice at Edith Cowan University to work on major research projects on religious faith, community and well-being.

His major academic work has been the study of the changing Western culture and what that meant for religion, particularly in Australia. He has done extensive analysis of Census data and national surveys, examining how Australians make sense of life. He has also examined a number of sub-groups with Australian culture, including the culture of people living in rural areas, the culture of young people, and the many cultures and religions that recent immigrants have brought to Australia. He has noted and analysed the growth both of those who describe themselves as having ‘no religion’ and those who describe themselves as ‘spiritual but not religious’.

Prof Hughes has written 65 books and hundreds of articles and chapters of books. Since 2017, he has been employed part-time at Alphacrucis College where he supervises doctoral students, teaches research methods and chairs the ethics committee. He is currently the acting Head of Pilgrim College and just published a book called “What is Happening to Religion in Australia? Understanding the Trends.”