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Nath H. Clarke (He/ Him)DirectorNath (He/Him) achieved a BA(Hons) in Philosophy and Religion and English Literature at Bangor University where he received the Danby Prize for best 3rd year student. He went on to complete an MRes in Philosophy and Religion, with distinction, at Bangor University and was awarded an excellence scholarship.
After securing funding from the MGSDTP (an ESRC-accredited Doctoral Training Partnership), Nath completed an MA in Social Science Research Methods (with distinction) at the University of Nottingham, where he is currently undertaking his PhD in Sociology. |
Nath's PhD research project analyses the practice of Buddhism in the UK from the perspectives of LGBTQ+ practitioners, evaluating the ways in which sexual and religious identities are 'lived out' by individual LGBTQ+ Buddhists. In January 2021 he started The PhD Place as an active attempt to combat isolation in the PGR community by bringing together academic researchers from across the world.
In his spare time Nath enjoys working out, swimming, reading, and watching films.
In his spare time Nath enjoys working out, swimming, reading, and watching films.
PhD Project
"A Study of the Intersection between Sexuality and Faith in the LGBTQ+ Buddhist Community."
The research focuses on the practice of Buddhism in Britain from an LGBTQ+ perspective, representing an in-depth study of the LGBTQ+ Buddhist community which combines sociological research methods with textual analysis. The aim of this project is to explore the intersection between the sociology of religion/spirituality, the sociology of sexuality and Buddhist studies, highlighting a timely, relevant interpretation of Buddhist insight, which will contribute significantly to the field of modern faith studies. This project uses a layered qualitative methodology to provide a more diverse understanding of Buddhism in Britain, paying close attention to the nuances surrounding the practices, rituals, and lived-experiences of LGBTQ+ practitioners. To achieve this, the research presents the perspectives of the Buddhist institutions themselves, their respective spiritual leaders, and self-defined LGBT lay practitioners as the focus of its academic narrative. This provides an important lens for the analysis of Western Buddhist institutions with regards to the diversity of the organisational leadership and its subsequent relationship to LGBT issues.
The research focuses on the practice of Buddhism in Britain from an LGBTQ+ perspective, representing an in-depth study of the LGBTQ+ Buddhist community which combines sociological research methods with textual analysis. The aim of this project is to explore the intersection between the sociology of religion/spirituality, the sociology of sexuality and Buddhist studies, highlighting a timely, relevant interpretation of Buddhist insight, which will contribute significantly to the field of modern faith studies. This project uses a layered qualitative methodology to provide a more diverse understanding of Buddhism in Britain, paying close attention to the nuances surrounding the practices, rituals, and lived-experiences of LGBTQ+ practitioners. To achieve this, the research presents the perspectives of the Buddhist institutions themselves, their respective spiritual leaders, and self-defined LGBT lay practitioners as the focus of its academic narrative. This provides an important lens for the analysis of Western Buddhist institutions with regards to the diversity of the organisational leadership and its subsequent relationship to LGBT issues.
