New project on Quaker business history
New PhD research project into twentieth century Quaker business history is launched
Nicola Sleap has been appointed as researcher to a new PhD research project into twentieth century Quaker business history. The project is the first PhD to be funded by the Quakers and Business Group (Q&B). The research will examine the period from the first national conference of Quaker employers in 1918 up to the Kraft takeover of Cadbury in 2010 and its aftermath. It will also explore the present day realities of running a Quaker business.
Nicola is a freelance writer, campaign worker and researcher. She studied medieval prayer and theology at Cambridge University and was awarded an MA in Medieval Studies (with distinction) from York University.
She told the Friend: ‘I’m really pleased to have been awarded and begun this research project. I’m particularly looking forward to analysing the effect upon Quaker business prospects of broader changes within Quakerism and society, with a focus on the first half of the twentieth century, and including consideration of the two world wars.’
The PhD will be based at Woodbrooke and supervised by Ben Pink Dandelion, programme leader of the Quaker Postgraduate Studies Centre, under the umbrella of Birmingham University.
Ben said: ‘This is a very exciting project. We have lots of homemade theories about what happened to Quaker involvement with business in the last hundred years but no systematic analysis. Nicola’s work will help us achieve that.’
Q&B are delighted that the project has started after a year of dedicated planning and fundraising. Members have raised £52,000.
Elizabeth Redfern, co-clerk to Q&B, said: ‘We are very grateful to all the individuals and organisations who have generously contributed, and will keep you all informed of our progress. It is planned that Nicola will produce a series of papers… and these will be shared with a wide audience.’
She continued: ‘Friends tend to know how some early Quaker businesses started and how they development into famous family concerns and corporations. Nicola’s research will help answer the question ‘what happened next?’
Comments
Perhaps in 50 years someone will be looking at Quaker Loans Ltd from the same perspective?
By funn on 7th November 2013 - 13:21
Please login to add a comment
