I ask not to see the distant scene, a step enough for me - Cardinal Newman
Spaces of Hope is engaged in gatherings, networks, events and campaigns both on the margins of society and across the public square. This has been the case since our inception in 2016 with over 80 such engagements taking place since then. You can find out more about the pre-pandemic gatherings in our Gatherings Archive. 

Post-pandemic, we have continued that theme, curating spaces which have also included new publications and the delivery of leadership resources for those seeking to respond to the poly-crisis. A full list of our engagements can be found here, each offering a next step, following the inspiration of Cardinal Newman.

If you want to engage with us, you can by contacting Matthew.


2026

September 2026 - Blackburn Cathedral - Celebrating 100 years of Blackburn Cathedral. 
In September 2026, we will be contributing to a celebration of the establishment of the Diocese of Blackburn, by William Temple. Watch this space for more information as it becomes available. 
January 2026 - Ashburnham Place - The "Sparks" retreat meets Curating Spaces of Hope.

​In January 2026, we have been invited to share something of the 'how and why' behind Curating Spaces of Hope at the annual Sparks retreat held at Ashburnham Place. This gathering of thinkers and doers is a discreet space for seeking a next step and discerning shared purpose in troubled times. 

2025

December 2025 - University of Roehampton - Practicing Hope in an era of poly-crisis.

In December 2025, Dr Barber-Rowell will meeting with other aspiring 'pracademics' to explore the different expressions of hope that have emerged from his professional practice working with different institutions who’re responding to poly-crises in the north west of England. 
November 2025 - Virginia Theological Seminary - a Masterclass exploring Transformational Leadership and the crises in the church

Dr Barber-Rowell has been invited to take students from the Lifelong Learning Faculty at VTS on a deep-dive exploration of transformational leadership and what its implications might be for the current crises shaping the Episcopal Church in the United States. This gathering may also explore the boarder concerns that are shaping the Anglican Communion around the world. 
November 2025 - Susanna Wesley Foundation - Challenging the Extractive Economy: Humanist economics & Theology in Conversation

Dr Barber-Rowell has been invited to participate in this roundtable, sharing thoughts and insights that can be found within Spaces of Hope learning, for responding to the theological and economic challenges of our time. This gathering is hosted by the Susanna Wesley Foundation with whom Dr Barber-Rowell is a Research Associate. 
November 2025 - Coventry Cathedral - A one day Retreat exploring "radical reconciliation in an era of poly-crisis"

A retreat that explores the contexts of crises shaping our world today, our lived experiences of crises, and an exploration of hopeful responses, which we might characterise in terms of leadership.  In the sermon on the  mount Jesus says, ‘by their fruits you’ll know them’ - this is a reference that will be made,  which will orient the day as an experience rooted in our relationships with God, and expressed in ways that are to be discerned through prayerful practice. The retreat is open to adults from different traditions who are seeking to share hope in the public square.  Register here /curating-spaces-of-hope-retreat/ 
October 2025 - Virginia Theological Seminary - a 3 part short course "co-creating radical responses to the poly-crisis"

In October 2025, Dr Barber-Rowell has been invited to gather with Seminarians to guide them through the process of Curating Spaces of Hope for themselves. Through this process, participants will diagnose the nature of the poly-crisis shaping our context today, understand something of our own experience of this in terms of radical living, and develop our responses using principles for transformational leadership. 
September 2025 - The Book Launch - hosted at Nether Springs, Northumberland. 

This is a recording of the book launch for Curating Spaces of Hope: Transformational Leadership for Uncertain Times, which was hosted at Nether Springs in Northumberland by the Northumbria Communiyy on the 20th September 2025.

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July 2025 - Manchester Cathedral - "Transformational Leadership for Uncertain Times"

Dr Barber-Rowell gave a lecture to an audience in the Manchester Cathedral Library, exploring theme of Radical Hope and its relationship with Transformational Leadership practice. The lecture can be heard on the Cathedral Spotify here open.spotify.com/episode/4Vs8Y6fiWxLBCD0UOT0d4A?si=9Rt0_1JGRfW-k143mZm14A&nd=1&dlsi=69717f790434465d

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April 2025 - July 2025 - Diocese of Manchester - Ecology and Creation Lay Leadership Training 

As co-convenor of this course, I offered an introduction to and a guide through the Climate Crisis, and supported students to develop theological resources to respond in their context. This course offered an entry level point of access to climate policy, eco theology and terminology, and addressed questions of measurement and legacy from eco projects, as part of the Church's commitment to reach Net Zero by 2030. The course comprised 12 sessions across a 4 months period including the Eco retreat, run by Dr Barber-Rowell
April 2025 - Inner Temple, London - "Communicating Radical Hope in an era of poly-crisis"

On the 30th April 2025, Spaces of Hope, along with William Temple Foundation and Virginia Theological Seminary hosted a one day conference at the Inner Temple, London. This conference emerged following the award of a Dean’s Scholarship at VTS for Dr Matthew Barber-Rowell following the Radical Hope gathering at Liverpool Hope University in April 2024. This conference opened up questions and debates relevant to faith based organisations in the public square and their response to poly-crises. For a full write up of the conference download the ebook from our Bookshop

2024

October 2024 - April 2025 with Virginia Theological Seminary and the William Temple Foundation - Launch of the Radical Hope Podcast 

In this series we explore the contours of communications faith based organisations and dialogue in the public square. We will draw on stories and experiences from both sides of the Atlantic and consider what these might mean for people and institutions who are seeking to contribute to public life in the UK,  US and around the world. This podcast is hosted by Dr Matthew Barber-Rowell, and Vice President for Communications at Virginia Theological Seminary and the General Theological Seminary in New York, Nicky Burridge.

Series 1 comprises 7 episodes, opening two interviews, including with Professor Martyn Percy, and a series of 5 live episodes which offer for free and in full, the paper's given at the Communicating Radical Hope conference at the Inner Temple in April 2025. 
https://open.spotify.com/show/2oCyuCiVWl4RcKQrYrU3CU 

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June 2024 - Virginia Theological Seminary - Author in Residence

In summer 2024, Dr Barber-Rowell was invited to become a Dean's Scholar of Virginia Theological Seminary - this honour followed the delivery of the Radical Hope Roundtable at Liverpool Hope University in April 2024, and was in recognition of the development of Curating Spaces of Hope in the previous 3 years, culminating in the first Spaces of Hope monograph, Curating Spaces of Hope:Transformational Leadership for Uncertain Times.
May 2024 - Manchester Cathedral - "Eco Stepping Stones - Serving others"

Matthew delivered the final part of the Eco Stepping Stones series to lay leaders from the Diocese of Manchester, hosted in the Library of Manchester Cathedral. The dialogue explored what it meant to serve through practical action. 
April 2024 - July 2024 - Diocese of Manchester - Ecology and Creation Lay Leadership Training 

As co-convenor of this course, I offered an introduction to and a guide through the Climate Crisis, and supported students to develop theological resources to respond in their context. This course offered an entry level point of access to climate policy, eco theology and terminology, and addressed questions of measurement and legacy from eco projects, as part of the Church's commitment to reach Net Zero by 2030. The course comprised 12 sessions across a 4 months period, including the Eco retreat, run by Dr Barber-Rowell
April 2024 - Liverpool Hope University - "Discerning Radical Hope - a Roundtable".

This eBook is the outcome of a Roundtable hosted at Liverpool Hope University on the 26th April 2024. The gathering addressed the question of how we might find Radical Hope in an election year?  This volume is both a record of the proceedings of the day and should be taken up as a basis for a possible agenda of Radical Hope for the future. The election year of 2024 is an important marker for the enactment of democracy at the voting booth. However that is in itself only one expression to which we believe Radical Hope might be applied. Case studies are given from across the Spaces of Hope work completed in the previous 3 years. Papers are given by partners with which Spaces of Hope has worked, too. We commend this volume to anyone seeking change in this time of crisis, which is rooted in hopeful alternatives to the status quo.

2023

December 2023 - Laudato Si Centre in the Diocese of Salford - "Eco Stepping Stones - Nurture and Discipleship"

Matthew delivered the second part of the Eco Stepping Stones series to lay leaders from the Diocese of Manchester, hosted at the Laudato Si Centre, at Wardley Hall. The centre has converted the Garden's of the Bishop's house into a space of learning and creation care, within which we explored themes of nature and discipleship 
September 2023 - Diocese of Manchester - "Launch of Eco Stepping Stones Leadership Catalyst Resource"

From 2022 to early summer 2025 Dr Barber-Rowell worked with the Diocese of Manchester to develop an Eco Transformation Programme, which became embedded within the life of the Diocese. A central pillar of his work was the design and deliver of the Eco Stepping Stones Toolkit, designed in conjunction with the delivery of the Eco Elective lay leaders module and development of a network of Eco Champions in the Diocese. This moves beyond theory and knowledge sharing about the climate crisis and coaches laity on how to respond practically to the climate crisis. in September 2023, Eco Stepping Stones was launched.
April 2023 - July 2023 - Diocese of Manchester - Ecology and Creation Lay Leadership Training 

As co-convenor of this course, I offered an introduction to and a guide through the Climate Crisis, and supported students to develop theological resources to respond in their context. This course offered an entry level point of access to climate policy, eco theology and terminology, and addressed questions of measurement and legacy from eco projects, as part of the Church's commitment to reach Net Zero by 2030. The course comprised 12 sessions across a 4 months period, including the Eco retreat, run by Dr Barber-Rowell
March 2023 to September 2023 - Provoking a movement of hope in the city to eradicate poverty, with Liverpool Charity and Voluntary Services (LCVS): 

During 2023 Dr Barber-Rowell was commissioned to deliver a provocation in the city of Liverpool to the Community and Voluntary Sector, and the Marmot Group of City Leaders. The provocation was commissioned by LCVS as the oldest CVS in the country. This provocation examined the challenges involved in eradicating poverty in Liverpool, and set out a hope-filled vision and strategy for doing so. 
March to October 2023 - investigating and challenging the working culture and practices at Liverpool Hope University

Throughout April and May 2023, Dr Barber-Rowell curated a series of dialogues across Liverpool Hope University, offering a chance for people to reflect on whether the University is both "Hope by name, and hope by nature?" The series of dialogues is being supported by the Hope Ecumenical Network (HEN), which connects the University with Christian institutions around the world. Dr Wendy Bignold, Associate Dean (International), who is a Co-Director for HEN said:

“The Spaces of Hope dialogues are a great opportunity for you to tell your story and share your experiences of hope, at Hope! It will be interesting to see how these dialogues relate to Hope’s own mission and values.” 

Following the Spaces of Hope dialogues, a report of the findings was delivered to the University’s Mission and Values Committee chaired by the Vice Chancellor. 

Spaces of Hope