Peter B. Clarke's Research

'My Main Research Interests'

Peter B. Clarke at Tokyo-Narita Airport, Japan

'I am a sociologist of religion in the Weberian tradition. My research is comparative and has covered various aspects of Islam, Japanese religions in Europe and Brazil, African religion in Africa and Brazil, migrant, minority and new religions, and millenarianism.'
'In recent years I have become increasingly interested in the topic of the role of religions in environmental conservation and have introduced new courses on this subject in Colleges in different countries including Ghana and Tanzania. I have also developed an interest in engaged religion, and in particular in engaged Buddhism in Asia, including the activities of the Tzu-chi, Buddhist Compassion and Relief Society, based in Taiwan.'
'My recent publications include editing 'The Oxford Handbook of the Sociology of Religion' (Oxford University Press, 2009) and with Peter Beyer 'The World's Religions: Continuities and Transformations' (Routledge, 2009).'
'My Previous teaching before joining King's College London (University of London) and later the University of Oxford was as Associate Professor of History at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. In recent times I have taught at Spiritan University College, Ghana (2004-8) and at the Tanzanian branch of the Catholic University of East Africa (2008). I have also spent time lecturing at various universities in Brazil, including PUC in São Paulo and in Japan at Tsukuba and Hokkaido Universities.'
'Outside my work, I have a number of interests including music, walking and visiting other places, in particular Africa, Brazil and Japan.'
(PBC, 01/05/2009)

Peter B. Clarke (left) with Professor Pierre Verger at the latter's home in Bahia, Brazil, in the mid 1990s. Professor Verger was a leading expert on African Brazilian religions, a subject which Peter Clarke has researched extensively since the early 1980s.

Peter B. Clarke at a conference on Religion and Development in Indonesia in the mid 1990s.

Peter B. Clarke (left) and Professor Tadaatsu Tajima. This photograph was taken at the World Congress of Sociology at Durban, South Africa (July 2006). Both presented papers on religion and migration in a globalising world.

This photo relates to Professor Clarke's research on a Japanese healing technique known as 'johrei'. From an anthropological perspective he is researching cultural responses to the philosophy and the application of this technique in various parts of the world including Brazil, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Angola, Mozambique and South Africa.
Here is discussing its use and effects at Nomosanto Hospice at Hammandskraal, a rural area near Pretoria, South Africa, which is using it to treat AIDs patients and other sick people with epilepsy and diabetes. In the photograph (taken in July 2006), Prof Clarke is speaking with Sister Agnes, a nurse and founder of the Hospice, and ministers and seminarians of the johrei centre at Pretoria, who comes to the Hospice regularly to administer johrei to the patients and to advise the Hospice regarding the practice of natural farming which is believed to be fundamental to good health and the prevention of sickness.
The Hospice is a voluntary body with no resources and serves an extremely impoverished community. Please contact Professor Peter B. Clarke (peter.clarke@wolfson.ox.ac.uk) if you would like to contribute to this necessary work carried on voluntarily by Sr Agnes and her assistants.

Dr Prema C. Bernad showing Prof Clarke round the wards at Mathias Hospital, Yeji, Brong Ahafo, Ghana and explaining the kinds of health problems treated at the hospital (2007).

Peter Clarke with Dr Prema C. Bernad, principal medical officer and surgeon at Mathias Hospital, Yeji, Brong Ahafo, Ghana. Dr Bernad gave Peter Clarke invaluable assistance with his research between 2006 and 2008 on local concept of health and sickness in Yeji. Prof Clarke hopes to complete this research during the Autumn of 2008.

Professor Peter B. Clarke - Official Website (Home Page):
http://uk.oocities.com/peterbernardclarke