Theology Slam to return in 2020. The 2019 winner, Hannah Malcolm, on what to expect

Theology Slam – the competition that seeks young voices on theology and the contemporary world – will return in 2020. The competition, which was launched last year, is organised jointly by the Church Times, SCM Press, the Community of St Anselm, and the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity (LICC). It is open to anyone aged 18 to 30, lay or ordained, and consists of a qualifying round and a live final. In the qualifying round, applicants are asked to write 500 words on one of 12 contemporary issues, which include Theology and race; Theology and Celebrity; and Theology and Disability (full list below). Alongside the 500 words, applicants are also asked to submit a short video, introducing who they are and why they are interested in the topic. Entries open today (Friday 1 November) and the deadline is 11.59 p.m. on 5 January 2020. The final will take place on 26 March at St John’s Hoxton, in London. On this week’s podcast, Ed Thornton talk to last year’s winner, Hannah Malcolm, who will be on the judging panel at the next Theology Slam. After that, you can hear excerpts from the finalists talks at the first Theology Slam final. They are Hannah Barr on Theology and the MeToo movement; Sara Prats on Theology and Mental Health; and Hannah Malcolm on Theology and the environment. For more information and to find out how to apply, visit churchtimes.co.uk/theology-slam. PHOTO CREDIT: STEFANO CAGNONI