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Rob Barward-Symmons

@robb-s.bsky.social
222 followers 388 following 77 posts

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.

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Reposted by Rob Barward-Symmons
The Guardian @theguardian.com · 10/01/2026
‘It’s younger people seeking some sort of spirituality’: The rise of UK Bible sales
theguardian.com
‘It’s younger people seeking some sort of spirituality’: The rise of UK Bible sales
Surge in sales correlates with the growth in church attendances in England and Wales, research says For Christian booksellers, the good news about Bibles sales has been few and far between. But in recent retail figures, there was a revelation. Sales of the good book reached a record high in the UK in 2025, increasing by 134% since 2019 – the highest since records began – according to industry research. Last year, the total sales of Bibles in the UK reached £6.3m in 2025, £3.61mup on 2019 sales. Continue reading...
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Rob Barward-Symmons @robb-s.bsky.social · 09/01/2026
Staggering story this - Bible sales soaring thanks to Gen Z. More evidence that something is definitely happening among young adults www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
dailymail.co.uk
Bible sales hit record high as Gen Z drive 134% growth in six years
Total sales of the Bible reached £6.3million in Britain last year - up 134 per cent in value since £2.7million in 2019, according to analysis of Nielsen BookScan data.
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Rob Barward-Symmons @robb-s.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
If anyone (or their librarian) is really eager, my upcoming @bloomsburyacad.bsky.social book 'Becoming Evangelical: Life and Liminalities in Christian Youth Groups' is now available to pre-order! Bizarre but exciting to see it live www.waterstones.com/book/becomin...
waterstones.com
Becoming Evangelical by Rob Barward-Symmons | Waterstones
Buy Becoming Evangelical by Rob Barward-Symmons from Waterstones today! Click and Collect from your local Waterstones or get FREE UK delivery on orders over £25.
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Rob Barward-Symmons @robb-s.bsky.social · 27/11/2025
Theos let me write about cricket, which was far more fun than suffering through Day 2
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Rob Barward-Symmons @robb-s.bsky.social · 27/10/2025
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
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Reposted by Rob Barward-Symmons
Hannah Rich @hannahmerich.bsky.social · 24/10/2025
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.
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Reposted by Rob Barward-Symmons
Duncan Robinson @duncanrobinson.bsky.social · 14/09/2025
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
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Rob Barward-Symmons @robb-s.bsky.social · 03/09/2025
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!
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Reposted by Rob Barward-Symmons
The News Agents @thenewsagents.co.uk · 01/08/2025
"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...
youtube.com
What's going on with young people and God?
YouTube video by The News Agents
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Rob Barward-Symmons @robb-s.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
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...
A faceless baby in a pram holding an events badge with the label "Baby Quiet Revival"
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Rob Barward-Symmons @robb-s.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
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
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Reposted by Rob Barward-Symmons
Dr Ellie Atayee-Bennett @ellieatayeebennett.bsky.social · 15/07/2025
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.
Dr Jennie Riley’s presentation on public engagement Dr Renasha Khan’s presentation on reframing research and accessibility Dr Rob Barward Symmons presentation on engaging with media
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Rob Barward-Symmons @robb-s.bsky.social · 14/06/2025
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
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Rob Barward-Symmons @robb-s.bsky.social · 21/04/2025
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...
independent.co.uk
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...
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Reposted by Rob Barward-Symmons
Ryan Burge @ryanburge.bsky.social · 08/04/2025
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%.
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Rob Barward-Symmons @robb-s.bsky.social · 08/04/2025
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 🧵
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Rob Barward-Symmons @robb-s.bsky.social · 27/03/2025
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 🧵
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Rob Barward-Symmons @robb-s.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
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
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Reposted by Rob Barward-Symmons
Sarah Owen MP @sarahowen.org.uk · 10/02/2025
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 🙌
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Reposted by Rob Barward-Symmons
Kaya Burgess | 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 @kayaburgess.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
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/...
thetimes.com
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
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Reposted by Rob Barward-Symmons
Matthew J Kuiper @matthewjkuiper.bsky.social · 10/01/2025
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.
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Reposted by Rob Barward-Symmons
Chine McDonald @chinemcdonald.bsky.social · 20/12/2024
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.co.uk
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.
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Reposted by Rob Barward-Symmons
BSA Sociology of Religion Study Group @bsasocrel.bsky.social · 19/12/2024
Call for Papers is now live! See -https://www.britsoc.co.uk/events/key-bsa-events/sociology-of-religion-conference-2025/ Deadline: 7th Feb
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Rob Barward-Symmons @robb-s.bsky.social · 09/12/2024
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.
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Rob Barward-Symmons @robb-s.bsky.social · 27/11/2024
Bizarrely after 15 years on there mine was two days ago in response to the madness about Reeves reading the FT
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Rob Barward-Symmons @robb-s.bsky.social · 26/11/2024
Settling in for the @theosthinktank.bsky.social annual lecture (/panel) asking 'Does the future have a church?'
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Rob Barward-Symmons @robb-s.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
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.
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Reposted by Rob Barward-Symmons
Theos @theosthinktank.bsky.social · 20/11/2024
📢 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...
eventbrite.co.uk
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
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Rob Barward-Symmons @robb-s.bsky.social · 11/11/2024
Textbook example here of polling issues about young people, not including any young people in the polling, and blindly presenting the results as representative of the views of "the public".
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Rob Barward-Symmons @robb-s.bsky.social · 08/11/2024
Just followed a community of sociologists of religion through @alana-m-vincent.net's starter pack, looking forward to seeing this become more fruitful than the other place! I'm a sociologist/anthropologist primarily of Christianity working in the charity sector at the moment
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Rob Barward-Symmons @robb-s.bsky.social · 12/12/2023
Delighted to announce our 2024 BSA SocRel annual conference will be taking place at Northumbria University from 8-10 July! The theme is Religion, Justice, and Social Action, and you can see the call for papers and submit abstracts here --> www.britsoc.co.uk/events/key-b...
britsoc.co.uk
Sociology of Religion Conference 2024
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Rob Barward-Symmons @robb-s.bsky.social · 05/10/2023
Approaching this Labour conference feels like the anticipation for an England (pre-Southgate?) international tournament, desperately allowing hope to overcome realistic expectations
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Rob Barward-Symmons @robb-s.bsky.social · 21/09/2023
Pleading not guilty to escaping from prison is an absolutely incredible move. Really hope he goes all out on the storytelling here www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-6687...
bbc.co.uk
Daniel Khalife pleads not guilty to Wandsworth prison escape
The 21-year-old former soldier is charged with escaping from Wandsworth prison on 6 September.
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