Edward A. David

Exciting things are on the horizon. The Gen Z Summit is fast approaching, and I’m thrilled to share a sneak peek of what’s in store. This event will bring together close to twenty of our study’s participatory researchers (young people, aged 18-27) to engage with our data and play a meaningful role in their interpretation.

At the heart of the summit is the Gen Z Role Models Project, our research initiative examining how young people today perceive religious and spiritual role models in an era of rapid social and digital transformation. We’ve gathered insights from over 130 participants worldwide—through story completion, surveys, and participatory methods—to better understand the figures who inspire Gen Z and why.

What can we expect from the summit?

🔹 Cutting-edge research: Key findings from our participatory study will be presented, offering a deep dive into Gen Z’s perspectives on religion and spirituality.

🔹 Interdisciplinary conversations: The summit will feature a mix of academic, student, and participant voices addressing theology, ethics, sociology, and digital culture.

🔹 Real-world impact: We’ll discuss how these insights can shape notions of self- and generational-identity, as well as education, policymaking, and public discourse.

🔹 A look ahead: This summit isn’t just about reflecting on what we’ve learned—it’s also about what comes next. From upcoming publications to a major grant bid, we’re aiming towards something big.

Visit our project websites at the Faculty of Theology and Religion and at oxfordexemplars.org .