I’m not a techy person. However, the gradual encroachment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into our daily activities, homes, workplaces, and social media feeds has been nagging at me persistently, uneasily.1 I know many have felt the same, especially those who care about politics and social justice - …
Erica Lees-Smith
Politics, Protest and Primitive Methodists with Englesea Brook Museum
I sat down virtually with Ruth (Project Director) and Amy (Heritage Officer) from Englesea Brook Museum in Cheshire to talk about the intersection of heritage and justice, through the lens of Primitive Methodism. As a former history student, I have a firm …
Love Thy Neighbour: Conference 2026
We are really excited to announce that we are joining with Better Story, Christian Aid and Fellowship of Reconciliation for a conference this October in London! Join us for a day of conversations about faith, politics and polarisation, asking questions such as: Get your tickets now …
Faith leaders defend the right to protest
Last month, 19 faith leaders - including representatives from the Baptist, Methodist and United Reformed churches - signed a letter coordinated by Quakers in Britain defending the right to protest. The letter opposes the introduction of a "cumulative disruption" clause in the Crime and Policing …
AI, Faith and Justice: Resources
On Thursday 23rd April 2026, The Joint Public Issues Team and the Student Christian Movement partnered to facilitate a webinar exploring the ethical and justice debates around generative AI. How does AI relate to justice? How do we tackle its political and ethical questions such as human rights, job …
Should we still stop Rosebank?
With an escalating global oil crisis, is it out of touch for churches to continue supporting the campaign to stop the Rosebank oil field? Absolutely not. ICYMI*: What’s going on? The Strait of Hormuz – between …
After COP30: Balancing Lament & Hope
Watching from afar through headlines and Instagram posts, I was unsure how to feel about COP30 last month. As a former youth climate striker, my teenage sense of optimism has been somewhat dampened. The more I learn about politics, negotiation, …
Standing Up For Human Rights
“Now is the time for a full-throated defence of the ECHR and HRA. No one has human rights, unless we all have human rights.” Nearly 300 organisations have joined together to express support for European Convention on Human Rights, in a letter coordinated by Liberty. Signatories included senior …
Guest Blog: Pilgrimage for Peace to DSEI Arms Fair
Rachel Parkinson is a Methodist Minister, currently taking two years to “Live Life in a Different Way”. Here she offers some thoughts on joining a Peace Pilgrimage to the DSEI Arms Fair. I am not a natural campaigner. Whilst I’m wholeheartedly on the side of values foundational to God’s healed, …
Introducing Erica
Hello! My name is Erica, and I am the new JPIT intern (communications) for 2025/26. I am really looking forward to exploring how an ecumenical organization negotiates complex public issues and learning how best to engage Christians through media to encourage and enable church mobilization and …