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.

Ordained in the Baptist denomination in 1977, he transferred his ordination to the Uniting Church in 1987. He has been a minister of religion in three churches. His current focus is now on interfaith dialogue and collaboration.

University Appointments

Honorary Research Fellow (Pilgrim Theological College)
HREC Executive Officer (University of Divinity)
Acting Head of College (Pilgrim Theological College)

External Affiliations

• Alphacrucis College (Professor)
• Christian Research Association (Honorary Research Fellow)
• National Centre for Pastoral Research (Honorary Research Fellow)