Professor René Erwich is an internationally recognised expert in Christian theology and ministry and its application to contemporary society. His research involves a hopeful articulation of Christian faith in engagement with the needs and challenges of secular society. He has been the recipient of several major grants for applied and collaborative research, including projects on spiritual leadership in a post-Christian society and Christian identity in health care. Professor Erwich is also widely recognised for his teaching in pastoral theology and missiology.

Scholarly appreciation of his work has led to numerous guest lectureships and conference presentations in many parts of the world. He has rendered significant leadership to the church and academy as Research Professor in Theology at the Ede Christian University in the Netherlands René is an accomplished author with his latest book (written with Rev Dr Almatine Leene), Vuur dat nooit dooft. Gender, seksualiteit en theologie in gesprek (English version: Unquenchable Love. Gender, sexuality and theology in conversation) nominated for the Best Theological Book of 2022, in the Netherlands.

René was the Principal of Whitley College for six years, from September 2017 to September 2023. He subsequently returned to the Netherlands to take up a position as the Dean (Theology & Social Work) at Viaa University of Applied Sciences.

University Appointments

Honorary Research Fellow (Whitley College)
HDR Supervisor (School of Graduate Research)