Tina Beattie

Who is Tina Beattie?

Tina Beattie is a British theologian, writer, broadcaster and practicing Catholic. She is the Professor of Catholic Studies at the University of Roehampton in London and Director of the Digby Stuart Research Centre for Religion, Society and Human Flourishing.

Beattie's academic research and publications include work on Catholic theology and psychoanalytic theory; theologies and theories of gender and sexuality; the cult of the Virgin Mary; theology and art; atheism and religion, and religion and women's rights.

In addition to her academic work, Beattie is in demand as a public speaker on issues relating to the role of religion in contemporary society and is a frequent contributor to radio and television. She writes regularly for the Catholic weekly journal The Tablet and contributes to The Guardian online. She engages in a wide range of educational and awareness raising activities and projects among religious groups, including inter-religious dialogue and issues concerning social justice and non-violence. Conservative Catholics criticise her for arguing in favour of same-sex marriage and women's ordination, for challenging the Catholic Church's teachings on contraception and for appealing for a more nuanced ethical approach to the question of early abortion.