Theos is starting a new research project on cathedrals in modern English society that explores their unique place in national life.

The Association of English Cathedrals and Theos are conducting a one–year research project to uncover how the British public perceives the role and significance of English cathedrals. 

In 2012, Theos published Spiritual Capital: the Present and Future of English Cathedrals, a report assessing the breadth, depth, and nature of cathedral activity and appeal. However, there have been major changes in society since then: an ever–increasing proportion of the population identifying as non–religious, Brexit, the pandemic and the cost–of–living crisis, to name but a few. Amidst these challenges, cathedrals have sought new – and sometimes controversial – ways to attract visitors at a time of growing financial pressure, when providing daily worship and sustaining the English Anglican choral tradition is proving challenging. 

The Association of English Cathedrals and Theos therefore believe it is time to conduct new research to understand where cathedrals fit in 2025 England. 

The research will comprise in–depth case studies of six different cathedrals. At each location, interviews will be conducted with cathedral clergy, staff, volunteers, visitors, pilgrims and local stakeholders. These interviews will explore how the cathedral is perceived by those who benefit from it, whether they are members of the local community or national and international visitors (religious or not), or those who run and maintain it. 

This qualitative work will be complemented by local surveys in each of the six case study locations, as well as a nationally representative survey of UK adults exploring perceptions of cathedrals and comparing the spiritual, social and political attitudes of the respondents. 

The findings of this research will benefit policymakers, charities, local businesses and other faith and community organisations that are either already working in partnership with cathedrals, or that would benefit from a clearer understanding of the role of cathedrals to improve and deepen their relationships with them as community, heritage and spiritual assets. 

The project will conclude in May 2026. 

The project team: 

George Lapshynov is a Researcher at Theos. He is author of the report From Strangers to Neighbours: The Church and the Integration of Refugees, and co–author of the Theos socio–political research project Religion Counts 2024 (with Paul Bickley and Dr Yinxuan Huang). He holds an MRes in International Relations and an MA in History & Politics from the University of Glasgow. 

Dr Nathan Mladin is a Senior Researcher at Theos. He is the author of several publications, including the Theos reports AI and the Afterlife: From Digital Mourning to Mind Uploading, Data and Dignity: Why Privacy Matters in the Digital Age, and Religious London: Faith in a Global City (with Paul Bickley). He holds a PhD in Systematic Theology from Queen’s University Belfast.