Rob Barward-Symmons
@robb-s.bsky.social
Head of Research at Theos; Senior Research and Impact Manager at Bible Society; Research Fellow with the Centre for the Study of Modern Christianity, Durham. Sociologist of Christianity. PhD explored youth work and young people in Evangelicalism.
Pinned
Today is the launch of a ground-breaking piece of research I've co-authored with Rhiannon McAleer.
Based on national surveys with @yougov.co.uk, 'The Quiet Revival' tells the astounding story that the number of adult churchgoers has RISEN by 50% since 2018 #BibleSociety #QuietRevival 🧵
Based on national surveys with @yougov.co.uk, 'The Quiet Revival' tells the astounding story that the number of adult churchgoers has RISEN by 50% since 2018 #BibleSociety #QuietRevival 🧵
Theos let me write about cricket, which was far more fun than suffering through Day 2
With the Ashes underway, @robb-s.bsky.social explores the careers of English and Australian cricket captains Ben Stokes and Steve Smith. 🏏
Is there room for redemption in the midst of bitter national rivalry?
Read more here: www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2025...
Is there room for redemption in the midst of bitter national rivalry?
Read more here: www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2025...
From the Ashes: Redemption in the Age of Tribalism
With the Ashes underway, Rob Barward–Symmons unpacks the careers of the English and Australian captains, Ben Stokes and Steve Smith. Is there room for redemption in the face of such bitter rivalry? 25...
www.theosthinktank.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Theos let me write about cricket, which was far more fun than suffering through Day 2
My blog for Theos on how two of last week's big releases point towards the shifting seems of youth culture since the start of the century
What do the latest releases by Philip Pullman and rapper Dave tell us about openness to Christianity?
@robb-s.bsky.social, co-author of The Quiet Revival report, explores how our cultural landscape has transformed over the past 25 years.
www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2025...
@robb-s.bsky.social, co-author of The Quiet Revival report, explores how our cultural landscape has transformed over the past 25 years.
www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2025...
Lyra, David, and the shifting landscape of Christianity and youth culture
In light of The Quiet Revival report showing increased openness to Christianity among young adults, Rob Barward–Symmons explores how two releases this week reveal how our cultural space has transforme...
www.theosthinktank.co.uk
October 27, 2025 at 12:31 PM
My blog for Theos on how two of last week's big releases point towards the shifting seems of youth culture since the start of the century
Reposted by Rob Barward-Symmons
This is excellent from @robb-s.bsky.social, simultaneously sharing some great insights on religion and youth culture while also educating our Theos colleagues about the brilliance of Dave.
What do the latest releases by Philip Pullman and rapper Dave tell us about openness to Christianity?
@robb-s.bsky.social, co-author of The Quiet Revival report, explores how our cultural landscape has transformed over the past 25 years.
www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2025...
@robb-s.bsky.social, co-author of The Quiet Revival report, explores how our cultural landscape has transformed over the past 25 years.
www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2025...
Lyra, David, and the shifting landscape of Christianity and youth culture
In light of The Quiet Revival report showing increased openness to Christianity among young adults, Rob Barward–Symmons explores how two releases this week reveal how our cultural space has transforme...
www.theosthinktank.co.uk
October 24, 2025 at 3:13 PM
This is excellent from @robb-s.bsky.social, simultaneously sharing some great insights on religion and youth culture while also educating our Theos colleagues about the brilliance of Dave.
Reposted by Rob Barward-Symmons
Shot, chaser
Young men more likely to vote Green than Reform. Young men second most progressive group of any demographic. Combined right-wing vote barely bigger than Green vote alone for young men
Young men more likely to vote Green than Reform. Young men second most progressive group of any demographic. Combined right-wing vote barely bigger than Green vote alone for young men
September 14, 2025 at 6:31 AM
Shot, chaser
Young men more likely to vote Green than Reform. Young men second most progressive group of any demographic. Combined right-wing vote barely bigger than Green vote alone for young men
Young men more likely to vote Green than Reform. Young men second most progressive group of any demographic. Combined right-wing vote barely bigger than Green vote alone for young men
We've got some really exciting projects lined up that this person would be able to get stuck into, so do apply if you're interested - or share it with someone who would be. But be quick, applications close next week!
We're hiring! 📢
Join our team as a religion and society researcher. We're looking for someone who has knowledge and skills in mixed–methods research to work on a number of upcoming projects.
Find out more and apply below 👇
www.theosthinktank.co.uk/about/work-w...
Join our team as a religion and society researcher. We're looking for someone who has knowledge and skills in mixed–methods research to work on a number of upcoming projects.
Find out more and apply below 👇
www.theosthinktank.co.uk/about/work-w...
Theos Think Tank - Understanding faith. Enriching society.
Theos stimulates the debate about the place of religion in society, challenging and changing ideas through research, commentary and events.
www.theosthinktank.co.uk
September 3, 2025 at 9:17 PM
We've got some really exciting projects lined up that this person would be able to get stuck into, so do apply if you're interested - or share it with someone who would be. But be quick, applications close next week!
Reposted by Rob Barward-Symmons
"No one knows why."
A recent YouGov poll says the number of young people who actively have faith has doubled in the last six years... it's called the “Quiet Revival“.
What’s going on with young people and God?
@maitlis.bsky.social investigates.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=izH1...
A recent YouGov poll says the number of young people who actively have faith has doubled in the last six years... it's called the “Quiet Revival“.
What’s going on with young people and God?
@maitlis.bsky.social investigates.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=izH1...
What's going on with young people and God?
YouTube video by The News Agents
www.youtube.com
August 1, 2025 at 3:39 PM
"No one knows why."
A recent YouGov poll says the number of young people who actively have faith has doubled in the last six years... it's called the “Quiet Revival“.
What’s going on with young people and God?
@maitlis.bsky.social investigates.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=izH1...
A recent YouGov poll says the number of young people who actively have faith has doubled in the last six years... it's called the “Quiet Revival“.
What’s going on with young people and God?
@maitlis.bsky.social investigates.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=izH1...
After another brilliant @bsasocrel.bsky.social conference #SocRel25 and a manic few months I'm today on my first day of three months of shared parental leave. Can't wait. Should hopefully spend less time on social media...
July 17, 2025 at 10:08 AM
After another brilliant @bsasocrel.bsky.social conference #SocRel25 and a manic few months I'm today on my first day of three months of shared parental leave. Can't wait. Should hopefully spend less time on social media...
This is outstanding news (though as some know I would advocate for younger). Now schools have the real opportunity to guide young people in how to positively contribute towards democratic society
Voting age to be lowered to 16 in England and Northern Ireland by next general election
Voting age to be lowered to 16 in England and Northern Ireland by next general election
16- and 17-year-olds will be given right, already introduced in Scotland and Wales, as part of changes including easier voter registration
The voting age will be lowered to 16 in England and Northern Ireland by the next general election in a major change of the democratic system.
The government said it was a reform to bring in more fairness for 16- and 17-year-olds, many of whom already work and are able to serve in the military. It brings the whole of the UK voting age to 16, as Scotland and Wales have already made the change. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
July 17, 2025 at 10:05 AM
This is outstanding news (though as some know I would advocate for younger). Now schools have the real opportunity to guide young people in how to positively contribute towards democratic society
Reposted by Rob Barward-Symmons
Fantastic PGR/ECR workshop this morning exploring public engagement, framing research and accessibility, and engaging with media by the excellent @jen-studies-death.bsky.social @renasha.bsky.social @robb-s.bsky.social
Lots of fantastic tips and insight which I look forward to putting into practice.
Lots of fantastic tips and insight which I look forward to putting into practice.
July 15, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Fantastic PGR/ECR workshop this morning exploring public engagement, framing research and accessibility, and engaging with media by the excellent @jen-studies-death.bsky.social @renasha.bsky.social @robb-s.bsky.social
Lots of fantastic tips and insight which I look forward to putting into practice.
Lots of fantastic tips and insight which I look forward to putting into practice.
Fascinating article about the shift towards Christianity across the West, particularly among young adults. And exciting to see the Quiet Revival trends replicated in the British Election Study! Something is shifting, and we - including scholars - need to be paying attention
June 14, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Fascinating article about the shift towards Christianity across the West, particularly among young adults. And exciting to see the Quiet Revival trends replicated in the British Election Study! Something is shifting, and we - including scholars - need to be paying attention
Some great pieces reflecting on the findings from The Quiet Revival over the last few days - just a few highlights here. Firstly, this from The Independent exploring the rise of Christianity among young adults in Britain www.independent.co.uk/life-style/c...
Make Christianity cool again: Why Gen Z is flocking to church
As a new report suggests that the number of young churchgoers has quadrupled, Helen Coffey investigates this potential UK spiritual revival – and asks why the next generation is more likely to be keep...
www.independent.co.uk
April 21, 2025 at 10:46 AM
Some great pieces reflecting on the findings from The Quiet Revival over the last few days - just a few highlights here. Firstly, this from The Independent exploring the rise of Christianity among young adults in Britain www.independent.co.uk/life-style/c...
Reposted by Rob Barward-Symmons
Really strong evidence of a religious resurgence in England and Wales from new data from the Bible Society.
Among 18-24 year olds, share attending monthly:
2018: 4%
2024: 16%
Among 25-34 year olds:
2018: 4%
2024: 13%
Overall, attendance went from 8% to 12%.
Among 18-24 year olds, share attending monthly:
2018: 4%
2024: 16%
Among 25-34 year olds:
2018: 4%
2024: 13%
Overall, attendance went from 8% to 12%.
April 8, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Really strong evidence of a religious resurgence in England and Wales from new data from the Bible Society.
Among 18-24 year olds, share attending monthly:
2018: 4%
2024: 16%
Among 25-34 year olds:
2018: 4%
2024: 13%
Overall, attendance went from 8% to 12%.
Among 18-24 year olds, share attending monthly:
2018: 4%
2024: 16%
Among 25-34 year olds:
2018: 4%
2024: 13%
Overall, attendance went from 8% to 12%.
Today is the launch of a ground-breaking piece of research I've co-authored with Rhiannon McAleer.
Based on national surveys with @yougov.co.uk, 'The Quiet Revival' tells the astounding story that the number of adult churchgoers has RISEN by 50% since 2018 #BibleSociety #QuietRevival 🧵
Based on national surveys with @yougov.co.uk, 'The Quiet Revival' tells the astounding story that the number of adult churchgoers has RISEN by 50% since 2018 #BibleSociety #QuietRevival 🧵
April 8, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Today is the launch of a ground-breaking piece of research I've co-authored with Rhiannon McAleer.
Based on national surveys with @yougov.co.uk, 'The Quiet Revival' tells the astounding story that the number of adult churchgoers has RISEN by 50% since 2018 #BibleSociety #QuietRevival 🧵
Based on national surveys with @yougov.co.uk, 'The Quiet Revival' tells the astounding story that the number of adult churchgoers has RISEN by 50% since 2018 #BibleSociety #QuietRevival 🧵
Interesting work (though reasserting what Stephen Bullivant found in the 2015 BSA survey), but without digging into practice it is limited in what we can know beyond a shifting perception of what it means to be 'Christian' across generations 🧵
NEW: 𝗟𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻
A huge 57% of non-believers in Britain were raised as Christians as children, before going on to lose their faith
And 42% of people in UK who were raised as Christians as kids are no longer Christians as adults
www.thetimes.com/uk/religion/...
A huge 57% of non-believers in Britain were raised as Christians as children, before going on to lose their faith
And 42% of people in UK who were raised as Christians as kids are no longer Christians as adults
www.thetimes.com/uk/religion/...
Most of Britain’s non-believers were raised as Christians
Study shows that families and churches struggle to get children to keep their faith into adulthood
www.thetimes.com
March 27, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Interesting work (though reasserting what Stephen Bullivant found in the 2015 BSA survey), but without digging into practice it is limited in what we can know beyond a shifting perception of what it means to be 'Christian' across generations 🧵
New research from
@theosthinktank.bsky.social
ahead of the launch of the Motherhood Vs The Machine podcast next week!
@chinemcdonald.bsky.social
@mlpennington.bsky.social
@theosthinktank.bsky.social
ahead of the launch of the Motherhood Vs The Machine podcast next week!
@chinemcdonald.bsky.social
@mlpennington.bsky.social
Grow a 'baby in a bag' ? 🚼🎒
Most Brits are strongly opposed to use of artificial wombs outside the mother for developing foetuses. Apart from Gen Z, who back it.
Public *does* support concept when mother or baby's life is at risk, however
👇⬇️
www.thetimes.com/uk/science/a...
Most Brits are strongly opposed to use of artificial wombs outside the mother for developing foetuses. Apart from Gen Z, who back it.
Public *does* support concept when mother or baby's life is at risk, however
👇⬇️
www.thetimes.com/uk/science/a...
Grow a ‘baby in a bag’? Gen Z backs the use of artificial wombs
Scientists want to conduct human trials on supporting premature babies outside of their mother’s bodies, but the British public has reservations
www.thetimes.com
March 6, 2025 at 10:03 AM
New research from
@theosthinktank.bsky.social
ahead of the launch of the Motherhood Vs The Machine podcast next week!
@chinemcdonald.bsky.social
@mlpennington.bsky.social
@theosthinktank.bsky.social
ahead of the launch of the Motherhood Vs The Machine podcast next week!
@chinemcdonald.bsky.social
@mlpennington.bsky.social
Reposted by Rob Barward-Symmons
Jenny is an outstanding trade unionist.
I know she has been a source of strength to members over the years, from her ability to hold power to account to fighting for the changes and modernisation we can all benefit from here in Parliament.
We need more women like her across our movement 🙌
I know she has been a source of strength to members over the years, from her ability to hold power to account to fighting for the changes and modernisation we can all benefit from here in Parliament.
We need more women like her across our movement 🙌
February 10, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Jenny is an outstanding trade unionist.
I know she has been a source of strength to members over the years, from her ability to hold power to account to fighting for the changes and modernisation we can all benefit from here in Parliament.
We need more women like her across our movement 🙌
I know she has been a source of strength to members over the years, from her ability to hold power to account to fighting for the changes and modernisation we can all benefit from here in Parliament.
We need more women like her across our movement 🙌
Reposted by Rob Barward-Symmons
FULL STORY:
A historic 'accord' has been signed between the UK's most senior Muslim and Jewish leaders
It aims to repair relations in aftermath of the October 7 attacks and ensuing conflict
The King told them he was "so glad to hear about this" today:
www.thetimes.com/uk/religion/...
A historic 'accord' has been signed between the UK's most senior Muslim and Jewish leaders
It aims to repair relations in aftermath of the October 7 attacks and ensuing conflict
The King told them he was "so glad to hear about this" today:
www.thetimes.com/uk/religion/...
British Muslim and Jewish leaders sign ‘reconciliation’ accord
The King was given a copy of the agreement at Buckingham Palace after an unprecedented summit for leaders of eleven denominations across the two faiths
www.thetimes.com
February 11, 2025 at 4:13 PM
FULL STORY:
A historic 'accord' has been signed between the UK's most senior Muslim and Jewish leaders
It aims to repair relations in aftermath of the October 7 attacks and ensuing conflict
The King told them he was "so glad to hear about this" today:
www.thetimes.com/uk/religion/...
A historic 'accord' has been signed between the UK's most senior Muslim and Jewish leaders
It aims to repair relations in aftermath of the October 7 attacks and ensuing conflict
The King told them he was "so glad to hear about this" today:
www.thetimes.com/uk/religion/...
Reposted by Rob Barward-Symmons
Good article! But…I disagree w/ one of its main points. If you reduce evangelicalism to its white US fundy wing, then sure, Carter wasn’t “evangelical.” But a better approach is to let Carter’s self-claimed evangelicalism remind us that there’s more to the movement, esp seen historically & globally.
"[Carter's] Baptist faith...did not make him want to enforce his beliefs on others, but rather made him fight for racial justice, for the Equal Rights Amendment, and for less punitive criminal penalties for victimless criminal offenses," writes @austinsteelman.bsky.social: ow.ly/bEsT50UCCLh
Don't Call Him Evangelical — How to Remember Jimmy Carter’s Faith, And How Not To
Jimmy Carter was an evangelical. A liberal evangelical. A liberal evangelical in the age before the Christian Right supported a conservative revolution that swept Republican Ronald Reagan into power. ...
ow.ly
January 10, 2025 at 6:01 AM
Good article! But…I disagree w/ one of its main points. If you reduce evangelicalism to its white US fundy wing, then sure, Carter wasn’t “evangelical.” But a better approach is to let Carter’s self-claimed evangelicalism remind us that there’s more to the movement, esp seen historically & globally.
Reposted by Rob Barward-Symmons
Opportunities like this don't come round very often at
@theosthinktank.bsky.social! Come and work with us for 9 months on a fascinating research project on motherhood.... www.theosthinktank.co.uk/about/work-w...
@theosthinktank.bsky.social! Come and work with us for 9 months on a fascinating research project on motherhood.... www.theosthinktank.co.uk/about/work-w...
Theos Think Tank - Understanding faith. Enriching society.
Theos stimulates the debate about the place of religion in society, challenging and changing ideas through research, commentary and events.
www.theosthinktank.co.uk
December 20, 2024 at 11:57 AM
Opportunities like this don't come round very often at
@theosthinktank.bsky.social! Come and work with us for 9 months on a fascinating research project on motherhood.... www.theosthinktank.co.uk/about/work-w...
@theosthinktank.bsky.social! Come and work with us for 9 months on a fascinating research project on motherhood.... www.theosthinktank.co.uk/about/work-w...
Reposted by Rob Barward-Symmons
Call for Papers is now live! See -https://www.britsoc.co.uk/events/key-bsa-events/sociology-of-religion-conference-2025/
Deadline: 7th Feb
Deadline: 7th Feb
December 19, 2024 at 11:31 AM
Call for Papers is now live! See -https://www.britsoc.co.uk/events/key-bsa-events/sociology-of-religion-conference-2025/
Deadline: 7th Feb
Deadline: 7th Feb
Delighted to announce that today I am shifting roles to Head of Research at @theosthinktank.bsky.social for the next year! Looking forward to getting stuck in with an amazing team, get in touch if you'd be interested in connecting.
December 9, 2024 at 8:52 AM
Delighted to announce that today I am shifting roles to Head of Research at @theosthinktank.bsky.social for the next year! Looking forward to getting stuck in with an amazing team, get in touch if you'd be interested in connecting.
Bizarrely after 15 years on there mine was two days ago in response to the madness about Reeves reading the FT
November 27, 2024 at 8:24 PM
Bizarrely after 15 years on there mine was two days ago in response to the madness about Reeves reading the FT
Settling in for the @theosthinktank.bsky.social annual lecture (/panel) asking 'Does the future have a church?'
November 26, 2024 at 7:13 PM
Settling in for the @theosthinktank.bsky.social annual lecture (/panel) asking 'Does the future have a church?'
I've been reflecting lately on how fundamentally outdated "social media" is as a phrase. Feels very fitting for the early days of platforms like Freinds Reunited, MySpace, Bebo, Facebook Twitter, even Instagram where the primary focus was to extend existing social connections and develop new ones.
November 22, 2024 at 12:24 PM
I've been reflecting lately on how fundamentally outdated "social media" is as a phrase. Feels very fitting for the early days of platforms like Freinds Reunited, MySpace, Bebo, Facebook Twitter, even Instagram where the primary focus was to extend existing social connections and develop new ones.
Reposted by Rob Barward-Symmons
📢 Less than 1 week to go until our 2024 Annual Lecture!
Don’t miss our panel discussion on the future of the church with Daisy Scalchi, Justin Brierley, Madeleine Davies, Bishop Mike Royal and Mary Harrington.
Find out more and final few tickets below.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/theos-annu...
Don’t miss our panel discussion on the future of the church with Daisy Scalchi, Justin Brierley, Madeleine Davies, Bishop Mike Royal and Mary Harrington.
Find out more and final few tickets below.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/theos-annu...
Theos Annual Lecture 2024 - Does the future have a church?
Join Theos and special guests for an evening discussing the future of Christianity in the UK. #Theos24
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 20, 2024 at 2:37 PM
📢 Less than 1 week to go until our 2024 Annual Lecture!
Don’t miss our panel discussion on the future of the church with Daisy Scalchi, Justin Brierley, Madeleine Davies, Bishop Mike Royal and Mary Harrington.
Find out more and final few tickets below.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/theos-annu...
Don’t miss our panel discussion on the future of the church with Daisy Scalchi, Justin Brierley, Madeleine Davies, Bishop Mike Royal and Mary Harrington.
Find out more and final few tickets below.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/theos-annu...