Donning a distinctive royal blue academic robe, Reverend Professor Stephen Wright joins a special group of alumni at the University of Cumbria.
The robe indicates that its wearer has carried out significant research over many years to gain the highest academic achievement available – a PhD.
The University of Cumbria this week welcomed 75-year-old Stephen to Carlisle Cathedral as he graduated with his PhD by publication.
His PhD by publication, The Heart Has Its Reasons, is not a single piece of work but instead recognises his academic dedication and extensive contributions to the fields of spirituality, health, and contemplation.
Stephen’s PhD research draws on over three decades of personal spiritual inquiry and related publications, culminating in the examination of four books – Coming Home: notes for the journey; Contemplation: an introduction; Burnout: a spiritual crisis; and Heartfulness: the way of contemplation.
They explore the roots and practice of spiritual awakening.
Stephen has published, in total, over 800 papers and 20 books on nursing, healing and spirituality.
An ordained interfaith minister, Stephen was awarded an Honorary Fellowship in 2010 in recognition of his contributions to the development of nursing practice in the UK and his increasingly important contributions to practice in, and understanding of, the relationships between spirituality and wellbeing.
He is the resident spiritual director and trustee for the Sacred Space Foundation, a retreat based in north Cumbria which offers spiritual direction and guidance and the teaching of healing arts.
Along with academia, Stephen has also enjoyed a career as a nurse in the NHS.
Stephen entered nursing in the 1970s and went on to become the first consultant nurse in the NHS in 1986.
Today he works with organisations developing the practice of healing, spiritual care, leadership, conflict resolution and staff support, including an extensive programme with NHS Trusts on the development of compassion.
In recent years Stephen has helped develop, in collaboration with the Diocese of Carlisle, the St Kentigern School for Contemplatives and a programme of Caring for the Carers retreats at Rydal Hall for healthcare staff during and after the pandemic.
Stephen said: “I started a PhD in 1983, in my nursing days, but abandoned it in favour of political action at the time. I had a handbrake turn in perception of self and the world, and nursing, in the early 90s and my interests took on an entirely different turn – specifically spirituality and health.
“What is special for me about the University of Cumbria has been the willingness to look at research (specifically practical spirituality) that is often seen as too beyond the pale in some settings, the support for staff to attend the Time-Out and Caring for Staff sessions held at Rydal Hall, and the encouragement to follow the PhD by published works programme with excellent backup from everyone – from my supervisors Dr Sue Williams and Dr Robert Williams, the library team and the staff of the research department.
“The original award of an Honorary Fellowship was a great blessing, and I never thought to add to it, until encouraged to do so by other academic staff at the university. I guess the doctorate in writing provides the accompanying evidence to support the honorary award, and it supports my refusal to not have my life governed by social expectations of age.
“There’s been a certain joy too in wandering around campus amongst the young and enjoying being a student again, something I missed as a teen as uni for a working class lad was a no-no from my background.”
