The Von Hügel Institute

Research

Research is at the heart of the Von Hügel Institute’s mission. We undertake research in order to advance and deepen understanding of the links between Christianity and society. Our aim is not only that this research will allow contemporary society to better engage with Christianity but also that Christian social teaching and the social teaching of the Catholic Church in particular might be informed by insights gained from the social sciences and humanities. In this way we hope to play our part in strengthening the dialogue between Christianity and an increasingly pluralistic society.

Currently the Von Hügel Institute in engaged in the following research projects:

Current Projects

Plater Trust: Catholic Social Teaching and the Big Society

The Von Hügel Institute was awarded a significant grant by the Plater Trust to carry out research into the links between Catholic Social Teaching and the Big Society. The aim of this project is to analyse the ways in which Catholic Social Teaching can be seen to have influenced the development of the Big Society idea and project and also to evaluate how far the Big Society can be viewed as being compatible with Catholic Social Teaching. The project pays particular attention to the themes subsidiarity and solidarity. The project will conclude with a conference in June 2012 to which all interested parties are welcome to attend.

Professor John Loughlin is the Principal Investigator for this project.

Porticus Trust: The Illegal Trade in Human Organs

Dr Frank Madsen has been awarded funding from the Porticus Trust to initiate research into the illicit traffic in organs for transplantation. The demand for organ transplants increases and will increase at a faster pace because of the incremental prevalence of diabetes and high blood pressure, and as a result of long-term misuse of analgesics (so-called analgetic nephropathy). In the present government-controlled system in the western countries, not enough organs are available to satisfy the demand; in other words a typical situation of denied demand has been created.