Pauline Kollontai is a Professor of Higher Education in Theology and Religious Studies in the Faculty of Education and Theology of York St. John University and the Associate Director for the Centre for Religion in Society. She worked previously at the University of Leeds in the School of Adult Education and at the University of Bradford in the Department of Peace Studies. Her academic qualifications are in the disciplines of peace studies and theology and religious studies and this is reflected in her teaching and particularly in her research on religion in social context with a particular focus on religion, peace and reconciliation.