Reverend Dr Tania ap Siôn
The Revd Dr Tania ap Siôn is Reader of Religions, Humanities and Education, and joined Bishop Grosseteste University in 2018. She holds a BA and MA in Theology from Oxford University, an MA in Religious Studies from the University of Wales, Bangor, and a PhD in Education (focusing on theology, psychology and education) from the University of Warwick. Tania’s academic research has a strong relationship with professional practice in church-related, school-related, and community-related contexts. This is underpinned by the professional qualification of PGCE in Religious Studies, ordination as an Anglican priest in the Church in Wales, active membership of national and international organisations concerned with religion in schools, and the position of Executive Director of the St Mary’s Centre (a Christian research institute in Wales). Previously, Tania has held academic posts at Bangor University (1994-2007), Glyndwr University Wrexham (2011-2015), and the University of Warwick (2015-2018).
Funded by the Wrexham (Parochial) Educational Foundation in partnership with Bishop Grosseteste University, since October 2020 Tania has been working on the St Giles’ Centre Research, Development and Impact Project in Religious Education, which is an exciting and innovative development taking place in the Wrexham County Borough, North East Wales.
Tania describes herself as an empirical theologian who also works in the fields of education, the psychology of religion, and the sociology of religion. She has contributed subject expertise and skills in qualitative methodologies to a number of large ‘mixed methods’ research projects. Her publications are wide-ranging and include research concerned with: prayer and sacred place; religious education; ‘faith’ schools; religious and spiritual experience; young people’s attitudes to religious diversity; psychological type theory and biblical hermeneutics; online religion; and implicit religion. With the Revd Canon Dr Randolph Ellis, Tania co-leads the Prayer and Sacred Place Project, which is concerned with approaching ‘place’ and ‘prayer’ in new ways through exploratory and speculative research studies, drawing on the disciplines of philosophy, theology, phenomenology, speculative realism, and education.
ap Siôn, T. (2021). Insights from adolescents’ prayer requests within a Christian ethos school: A qualitative perspective. Journal of Empirical Theology. (In press.)
Deschner, A., Francis, L. J., & ap Siôn, T. (2021). Exploring religions today: A quest for international knowledge transfer within the field of education for religious diversity. Zeitschrift für Pädagogik und Theologie. (In press.)
ap Siôn, T. (2020). The power of place: Listening to visitors’ prayers left in a shrine in rural Wales. Rural Theology, 18 (2), 87-100.
ap Siôn, T. (2019). Lighting candles and writing prayers: Observing opportunities for spiritual practices in churches in rural Cornwall. Research in the Social Scientific Study of Religion, 29, 54-74.
Francis, L. J., & ap Siôn, T., Lankshear, D. W. & Eccles, E. L. (2019). Factors shaping prayer frequency among 9- to 11-year-olds. Greek Journal of Religious Education, 2 (1), 39-52.
ap Siôn (2018). Such faith. Rural Theology, 16 (1), 51-53.
ap Siôn, T. (2017). Religious experience among Catholic and Protestant sixth-form students in Northern Ireland: Looking for signs of the presence of God. Mental Health, Religion and Culture, 20, 330-347.
ap Siôn, T. (2017). Seeing how we see each other: Learning from quantitative research among young people in the UK. Journal of Beliefs and Values, 38, 305-317.
ap Siôn, T. (2017). Creating a place of prayer for the ‘other’: A comparative case study in Wales exploring the effects of re-shaping congregational space in an Anglican cathedral. Journal of Empirical Theology, 30, 218-235.
Francis, L. J., & ap Siôn, T. (2017). Reading the Lucan call of the first disciples differently: The voices of sensing and intuition. Journal of Beliefs and Values, 38, 188-198.
Francis, L. J., ap Siôn, T., McKenna, U., & Penny, G. (2017). Does Religious Education as an examination subject work to promote community cohesion? An empirical enquiry among 14- to 15-year-old adolescents in England and Wales. British Journal of Religious Education, 39, 303-316.
Francis, L.J., Penny, G., & ap Siôn, T. (2017). Schools with a religious character and community cohesion in Wales. In E. Arweck (Ed.), Young people’s attitudes to religious diversity, pp. 204-221. London: Routledge.
ap Siôn, T. (2016). The Church of England’s Pray One for Me intercessory prayersite: A virtual cathedral? Journal of Beliefs and Values, 37, 78-92.
Francis, L.J., & ap Siôn, T. (2016). Jesus, psychological type and conflict: A study in biblical hermeneutics applying the reader perspective and SIFT approach to Mark 11: 11-21. HTS Theological Studies, 72 (4).
Francis, L. J., & ap Siôn, T. (2016). Empirical theology and biblical hermeneutics: Exploring lessons for discipleship from the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24: 13-35). Journal of Empirical Theology, 29, 24-44.
ap Siôn, T. (2015). Applying and testing the ap Siôn Analytic Framework for Intercessory Prayer (apSAFIP): Exploring prayer requests left in an English cathedral. In L. Woodhead & G. Giordan (Eds.), A sociology of prayer, pp. 169-189. Farnham: Ashgate.
ap Siôn, T. (2015). Ministry of the cathedral prayer-board. In L.J. Francis (Ed.), Anglican cathedrals in modern life, pp.131-153. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
ap Siôn, T. (2015). Prayers from the inner city: Listening to the prayer board in Southwark Cathedral. Research in the Social Scientific Study of Religion, 26, 99-119.
Edwards, O. & ap Siôn, T. (2015). Cathedral engagement with young people. In L.J. Francis (Ed.), Anglican cathedrals in modern life, pp. 29-49. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
ap Siôn, T. (2014). Religious education, interfaith dialogue and community cohesion in Wales: An empirical investigation of the contribution made by the Standing Advisory Councils on Religious Education. Contemporary Wales, 27, 148-166.
ap Siôn, T., Francis, L. J., & Village, A. (2014). Measuring the contribution of independent Christian secondary schools to students’ religious, personal, and social values. Journal of Research on Christian Education, 23, 29-55.
Francis, L. J., ap Siôn, T., & Penny, G. (2014). Is belief in God a matter of public concern in contemporary Wales? An empirical enquiry concerning religious diversity among 13- to 15-year-old males. Contemporary Wales, 27, 40-57.
Francis, L. J., ap Siôn, T., & Village, A. (2014). Measuring the contribution of independent Christian secondary schools to students’ religious, personal, and social values. Journal of Research in Christian Education, 23, 29-55.
Francis, L. J., Lankshear, D. W., Robbins, M., Village, A., & ap Siôn, T. (2014). Defining and measuring the contribution of Anglican secondary schools to students’ religious, personal and social values. Journal of Empirical Theology, 27, 57-84.
Rolph, J., ap Siôn, T., Francis, L.J., & Rolph, P. (2014). Stress in rural ministry. Rural Theology, 12 (2), 106-118.
ap Siôn, T. & Francis, L.J. (2014). Religion and education in Wales. In M. Rothgangel, R. Jackson, & M. Jäggle (Eds.), Religious Education at schools in Europe: Part 2 Western Europe, pp. 261-285. Vienna: Vienna University Press.
ap Siôn, T. (2013). Ordinary prayer and the activity of God: Reading a cathedral prayer board. In J. Astley & L.J. Francis (Eds.), Exploring ordinary theology: Everyday Christian believing and the Church, pp. 147-158. Farnham: Ashgate.
ap Siôn, T. & Nash, P. (2013). Coping through prayer: An empirical study in implicit religion concerning prayers for children in hospital. Mental Health, Religion and Culture, 16 (9), 936-952.
ap Siôn, T. & Edwards, O. (2013). Say One for Me: The implicit religion of prayers from the street. Mental Health, Religion and Culture, 16 (9), 922-935.
Francis, L.J & ap Siôn, T. (2013). A church of implicit religion? A study in psychological type theory and measurement. Implicit Religion 16 (2), 169-189.
ap Siôn, T. (2012). Ordinary prayer and the rural church: An empirical study of prayer cards. In L.J. Francis & M. Robbins (Eds.), Rural life and rural church, pp. 64-79. London: Equinox.
ap Siôn, T. & Edwards, O. (2012). Praying ‘online’: The ordinary theology of prayer intentions posted on the internet. Journal of Beliefs and Values, 33 (1), 95-109.
ap Siôn, T. & Edwards, O. (2012). Cathedral engagement with young people: Learning from Church of England cathedral websites in rural dioceses. Rural Theology, 10 (2), 179-194.
ap Siôn, T. & Windsor, C. (2012). Freemasonry through the eyes of Anglican clergy: Insights from implicit religion? Implicit Religion, 15 (3), 339-355.
Francis, L.J., Annis, J., Robbins, M., ap Siôn, T., & Williams, E. (2012). National heritage and spiritual awareness: A study in psychological type theory among visitors to St Davids Cathedral. In F.V. Anthony & H.G. Ziebertz (Eds.), Religious identity and national heritage: Empirical-theological perspectives, pp. 123-148. Leiden: Brill.
ap Siôn, T. (2011). Interpreting God’s activity in the public square: Accessing the ordinary theology of personal prayer. In L.J. Francis & H.G. Ziebertz (Eds.), The public significance of religion, pp. 315-342. Leiden: Brill.
ap Siôn, T., Francis, L.J., & Windsor, C. (2011). How Anglican clergy perceive freemasonry: A complementary system, an incompatible enemy, or a harmless eccentricity. Journal of Contemporary Religion, 26, 225-243.
ap Siôn, T. (2010). Implicit religion and ordinary prayer. Implicit Religion, 13 (3), 275-294.
ap Siôn, T. (2009). Ordinary prayer and the rural church: An empirical study of prayer cards. Rural Theology, 7 (1), 17-31.
ap Siôn, T. & Francis, L.J. (2009). Psychological perspectives on prayer. In M. de Souza, L.J. Francis, J. O’Higgins-Norman, & D. Scott (Eds.), International handbook of education for spirituality, care and wellbeing: Part one, pp. 247-267. Netherlands: Springer.
ap Siôn, T., Francis, L.J., & Baker, S. (2009). The theological case for Christian schools in England and Wales: A qualitative perspective listening to the female alumnae. In L.J. Francis, M. Robbins and J. Astley (Eds.). Text and tables: Quantitative, qualitative, and comparative perspectives in empirical theology, pp. 217-245. Leiden: Brill.
ap Siôn, T. (2008). Distinguishing between intention, reference, and objective in an analysis of prayer requests for health and well-being: Eavesdropping from the rural vestry. Mental Health, Religion, and Culture, 11 (1), 53-65.
ap Siôn, T. (2007). Listening to prayers: An analysis of prayers left in a country church in rural England. Archiv für Religionspsychologie, 29, 199-226.
ap Siôn, T., Francis, L.J., & Baker, S. (2007). Experiencing education in the new Christian schools in the UK: Listening to the male graduates. Journal of Beliefs and Values, 28 (1), 1-15.
Francis, L.J., Robbins, M., Lewis, C.A., Barnes, P. & ap Siôn, T. (2007). Attitude toward Christianity among secondary school pupils in Northern Ireland: Shifts in denominational differences. Educational Research, 49 (4), 431-436.
ap Siôn, T. (2006). Looking for signs of the presence of God in Northern Ireland: Religious experience among Catholic and Protestant sixth-form pupils. Archiv für Religionspsychologie, 28, 349-370.
Francis, L.J., ap Siôn, T., Lewis, C.A., Robbins, M., & Barnes, P. (2006). Attitude toward Christianity and religious experience: Replication among 16- to 18-year-old adolescents in Northern Ireland. Research in Education, 76, 56-61.
School-related publications:
Welsh Government sponsored publications include four English and Welsh language storybook series, which have been informed by various research projects. These are free, open access resources: www.st-marys-centre.org.uk/resources.html
Randalph’s Spiritual Quest and Search for Meaning Series (2019)
ap Siôn (2019). Bringing health and healing (Randalph’s Spiritual Quest and Search for Meaning Series). Bear Lands Publishing.
ap Siôn (2019). Caring for the future (Randalph’s Spiritual Quest and Search for Meaning Series). Bear Lands Publishing.
ap Siôn (2019). Living with nature (Randalph’s Spiritual Quest and Search for Meaning Series). Bear Lands Publishing.
ap Siôn (2019). Making spiritual journeys (Randalph’s Spiritual Quest and Search for Meaning Series). Bear Lands Publishing.
ap Siôn (2019). Remembering the past (Randalph’s Spiritual Quest and Search for Meaning Series). Bear Lands Publishing.
ap Siôn (2019). Serving others (Randalph’s Spiritual Quest and Search for Meaning Series). Bear Lands Publishing.
ap Siôn (2019). A teachers’ guide (Randalph’s Spiritual Quest and Search for Meaning Series). Bear Lands Publishing.
ap Siôn (2019). Dod ag iechyd ac iachâd (Cyfres Ymchwil Ysbrydol Randalph a’i Chwiliad am Ystyr) Bear Lands Publishing.
ap Siôn (2019). Gofalu am y dyfodol. (Cyfres Ymchwil Ysbrydol Randalph a’i Chwiliad am Ystyr) Bear Lands Publishing.
ap Siôn (2019). Byw gyda natur (Cyfres Ymchwil Ysbrydol Randalph a’i Chwiliad am Ystyr). Bear Lands Publishing.
ap Siôn (2019). Mynd ar deithiau ysbrydol (Cyfres Ymchwil Ysbrydol Randalph a’i Chwiliad am Ystyr). Bear Lands Publishing.
ap Siôn (2019). Cofio’r gorffennol (Cyfres Ymchwil Ysbrydol Randalph a’i Chwiliad am Ystyr). Bear Lands Publishing.
ap Siôn (2019). Gwasanaethu eraill (Cyfres Ymchwil Ysbrydol Randalph a’i Chwiliad am Ystyr). Bear Lands Publishing.
ap Siôn (2019). Canllawiau i Athrawon (Cyfres Ymchwil Ysbrydol Randalph a’i Chwiliad am Ystyr). Bear Lands Publishing.
World Faiths Today Series (2019) – revised online edition
ap Siôn. T. (2019). Exploring Islam (World Faiths Today series). Bear Lands Publishing.
ap Siôn, T. (2019). Exploring Hinduism (World Faiths Today series). Bear Lands Publishing.
ap Siôn, T. (2019). Exploring Buddhism (World Faiths Today series). Bear Lands Publishing.
ap Siôn, T. (2019). Exploring Sikhism (World Faiths Today series). Bear Lands Publishing.
ap Siôn, T. (2019). Exploring Judaism (World Faiths Today series). Bear Lands Publishing.
Francis, L.J. & ap Siôn, T. (2019). Exploring the orthodox church (World Faiths Today series). Bear Lands Publishing
Francis, L.J. & ap Siôn, T. (2019). Exploring the parish church (World Faiths Today series). Bear Lands Publishing.
ap Siôn, T., Francis, L.J., & Drayson, D. (2019). World faiths today: Teacher’s handbook (World Faiths Today series). Bear Lands Publishing.
ap Siôn, T. (2019). Archwilio Islam (Cyfres Crefyddau’r Byd Heddiw). Bear Lands Publishing.
ap Siôn, T. (2019). Archwilio Hindŵaeth (Cyfres Crefyddau’r Byd Heddiw). Bear Lands Publishing.
ap Siôn, T. (2019). Archwilio Bwdhaeth (Cyfres Crefyddau’r Byd Heddiw). Bear Lands Publishing.
ap Siôn, T. (2019). Archwilio Sikhiaeth (Cyfres Crefyddau’r Byd Heddiw). Bear Lands Publishing.
ap Siôn, T. (2019). Archwilio Iddewiaeth (Cyfres Crefyddau’r Byd Heddiw). Bear Lands Publishing.
Francis, L.J. & ap Siôn, T. (2019). Archwilio’r eglwys uniongred (Cyfres Crefyddau’r Byd Heddiw). Bear Lands Publishing.
Francis, L.J. & ap Siôn, T. (2019). Archwilio eglwys y plwyf (Cyfres Crefyddau’r Byd Heddiw). Bear Lands Publishing.
ap Siôn, T., Francis, L.J., & Drayson, D. (2019). Crefyddau’r byd heddiw: Llawlyfr athrawon (Cyfres Crefyddau’r Byd Heddiw). Bear Lands Publishing.
Exploring Why Series (2016)
ap Siôn, T. & Francis, L.J. (2016). Water (Exploring Why series). Bear Lands Publishing.
ap Siôn, T. & Francis, L.J. (2016). Veil (Exploring Why series). Bear Lands Publishing.
ap Siôn, T. & Francis, L.J. (2016). Light (Exploring Why series). Bear Lands Publishing.
ap Siôn, T. & Francis, L.J. (2016). Menorah (Exploring Why series). Bear Lands Publishing.
Francis, L.J. & ap Siôn, T. (2016). Bread (Exploring Why series). Bear Lands Publishing.
Francis, L.J. & ap Siôn, T. (2016). Cross (Exploring Why series). Bear Lands Publishing.
Francis, L.J. & ap Siôn, T. (2016). Symbols of faith (Exploring Why series). Bear Lands Publishing.
ap Siôn, T. & Francis, L.J. (2016). Dŵr.(Cyfres Archwilio Pam). Bear Lands Publishing.
ap Siôn, T. & Francis, L.J. (2016). Fêl (Cyfres Archwilio Pam). Bear Lands Publishing.
ap Siôn, T. & Francis, L.J. (2016). Goleuni (Cyfres Archwilio Pam). Bear Lands Publishing.
ap Siôn, T. & Francis, L.J. (2016). Menora (Cyfres Archwilio Pam). Bear Lands Publishing.
Francis, L.J. & ap Siôn, T. (2016). Bara (Cyfres Archwilio Pam). Bear Lands Publishing.
Francis, L.J. & ap Siôn, T. (2016). Croes (Cyfres Archwilio Pam). Bear Lands Publishing.
Francis, L.J. & ap Siôn, T. (2016). Symbolau ffydd (Cyfres Archwilio Pam). Bear Lands Publishing.
Francis, L.J., ap Siôn, T., & Jones, L. (2016). Activity resources for learners and teachers (Exploring Why series), Bear Lands Publishing.
Francis, L.J., ap Siôn, T., & Jones, L. (2016). Adnoddau gweithgaredd ar gyfer dysgwyr ac athrawon (Cyfres Archwilio Pam). Bear Lands Publishing.
Exploring Our World Series (2016)
ap Siôn, T. & Francis, L.J. (2016). Journeys (Exploring Our World series). Bear Lands Publishing.
ap Siôn, T. & Francis, L.J. (2016). Special people (Exploring Our World series). Bear Lands Publishing.
ap Siôn, T. & Francis, L.J. (2016). Signs and symbols (Exploring Our World series). Bear Lands Publishing.
ap Siôn, T. & Francis, L.J. (2016). Celebrations (Exploring Our World series). Bear Lands Publishing.
ap Siôn, T. & Francis, L.J. (2016). Myself and others (Exploring Our World series). Bear Lands Publishing.
ap Siôn, T. & Francis, L.J. (2016). Times and seasons (Exploring Our World series). Bear Lands Publishing.
ap Siôn, T. & Francis, L.J. (2016). Teithiau (Cyfres Archwilio Ein Byd). Bear Lands Publishing.
ap Siôn, T. & Francis, L.J. (2016). Pobl arbennig (Cyfres Archwilio Ein Byd). Bear Lands Publishing.
ap Siôn, T. & Francis, L.J. (2016). Arwyddion a symbolau (Cyfres Archwilio Ein Byd). Bear Lands Publishing.
ap Siôn, T. & Francis, L.J. (2016). Dathliadau (Cyfres Archwilio Ein Byd). Bear Lands Publishing.
ap Siôn, T. & Francis, L.J. (2016). Fi fy hun ac eraill (Cyfres Archwilio Ein Byd). Bear Lands Publishing.
ap Siôn, T. & Francis, L.J. (2016). Ardegau a thymhorau (Cyfres Archwilio Ein Byd). Bear Lands Publishing.
Francis, L.J., ap Siôn, T., & Jones, L. (2016). Activity resources for learners and teachers (Exploring Our World series). Bear Lands Publishing.
Francis, L.J., ap Siôn, T., & Jones, L. (2016). Adnoddau gweithgaredd ar gyfer dysgwyr ac athrawon (Cyfres Archwilio Ein Byd). Bear Lands Publishing.
World Faiths Today Series (2008/2009)
ap Siôn. T. (2008). Exploring Islam (World Faiths Today series). Bangor: Welsh National Centre for Religious Education.
ap Siôn, T. (2008). Exploring Hinduism (World Faiths Today series). Bangor: Welsh National Centre for Religious Education.
ap Siôn, T. (2008). Exploring Buddhism (World Faiths Today series). Bangor: Welsh National Centre for Religious Education.
ap Siôn, T. (2008). Exploring Sikhism (World Faiths Today series). Bangor: Welsh National Centre for Religious Education.
ap Siôn, T. (2008). Exploring Judaism (World Faiths Today series). Bangor: Welsh National Centre for Religious Education.
Francis, L.J. & ap Siôn, T. (2008). Exploring the orthodox church (World Faiths Today series). Bangor: Welsh National Centre for Religious Education.
Francis, L.J. & ap Siôn, T. (2008). Exploring the parish church (World Faiths Today series). Bangor: Welsh National Centre for Religious Education.
ap Siôn, T., Francis, L.J., & Drayson, D. (2009). World faiths today: Teacher’s handbook (World Faiths Today series). Bangor: Welsh National Centre for Religious Education.
ap Siôn, T. (2008). Archwilio Islam (Cyfres Crefyddau’r Byd Heddiw). Bangor: Canolfan Genedlaethol Addysg Grefyddol.
ap Siôn, T. (2008). Archwilio Hindŵaeth (Cyfres Crefyddau’r Byd Heddiw). Bangor: Canolfan Genedlaethol Addysg Grefyddol.
ap Siôn, T. (2008). Archwilio Bwdhaeth (Cyfres Crefyddau’r Byd Heddiw). Bangor: Canolfan Genedlaethol Addysg Grefyddol.
ap Siôn, T. (2008). Archwilio Sikhiaeth (Cyfres Crefyddau’r Byd Heddiw). Bangor: Canolfan Genedlaethol Addysg Grefyddol.
ap Siôn, T. (2008). Archwilio Iddewiaeth (Cyfres Crefyddau’r Byd Heddiw). Bangor: Canolfan Genedlaethol Addysg Grefyddol.
Francis, L.J. & ap Siôn, T. (2008). Archwilio’r eglwys uniongred (Cyfres Crefyddau’r Byd Heddiw). Bangor: Canolfan Genedlaethol Addysg Grefyddol.
Francis, L.J. & ap Siôn, T. (2008). Archwilio eglwys y plwyf (Cyfres Crefyddau’r Byd Heddiw). Bangor: Canolfan Genedlaethol Addysg Grefyddol.
ap Siôn, T., Francis, L.J., & Drayson, D. (2009). Crefyddau’r byd heddiw: Llawlyfr athrawon (Cyfres Crefyddau’r Byd Heddiw). Bangor: Canolfan Genedlaethol Addysg Grefyddol.
Church-related publications:
These English and Welsh language open access publications are available at: https://teddyhorsley.org/
ap Siôn, T. et al (2015-cont).The Teddy Horsley website: www.teddyhorsley.org
Inter-European Commission on Church and School (Board member 2010-cont; Wales Correspondent 2010-cont; Secretary 2013-cont)
International Seminar on Religious Education and Values
International Society for the Sociology of Religion
International Society of Empirical Research in Theology
National Advisory Panel for Religious Education
Network of Psychological Type and Christian Faith (Secretary 2006-cont)
Society for the Scientific Study of Religion
Standing Advisory Councils for RE (Wrexham, Denbighshire, and Conwy)
Wales Association of Standing Advisory Councils for Religious Education (Executive member 2007-cont; Secretary 2009-2013; Chair 2013-2015)