Derby Quakers Religious Society of Friends

29/08/2026

I TRY TO SEE THE GOOD IN EVERYBODY AND I DON’T CARE WHO PEOPLE ARE AS LONG AS THEY’RE THEMSELVES,WHATEVER THAT IS.

Dolly Parton

12/08/2026

09/07/2026

Yesterday, we were delighted to celebrate three students from Woodbrooke's Centre for Research in Quaker Studies (CRQS) graduating at the University of Birmingham.

🎓 Kelvin Beer-Jones (pictured left) was awarded his PhD for research on new approaches within digital humanities that could transform the way we research the historical past.

🎓 Melvin Harris (pictured right) received his PhD for research on the sociology of the schismatic group of Conservative Quakers at Fritchley, Derbyshire, and how they adapted to new ideas at the beginning of the twentieth century.

🎓 Ian Mitchell gained his MA for research into the nature of Quakerism in terms of post-conventional spirituality.

Their theses should be available online within the next six months.

These achievements also mark an important milestone for Ben Pink Dandelion (pictured centre), who now celebrates 50 successful PhD completions as a supervisor, contributing to 112 successful postgraduate completions in total.

Ben has worked at Woodbrooke since 1992 and has supervised PhD students since 1995. He currently supervises 18 students and is one of twelve CRQS supervisors whose combined expertise spans most areas of Quaker studies.

Congratulations to Kelvin, Melvin, Ian and everyone involved in supporting their research.

To find out more about the Centre for Research in Quaker Studies, visit www.woodbrooke.org.uk/research.