Kimbalee Hodges

Proposed Title

Between Regulation and Reflection: Pastoral and Professional Supervision and Clergy Development in a Post-Royal Commission Anglican Church of Australia

Supervisors

Principal Supervisor: Revd. Dr. Geoff Broughton
Co-Supervisor: Nicola Lock

Research

This research explores role of pastoral and professional supervision in the ministry of Anglican clergy in Australia in the wake of the findings of the 2017 Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. This study investigates how supervision functions at the intersection of external and internal accountability and reflective practice.

Situated within the context of late modernity and the risk society, the research examines how clergy are supported to navigate increasing expectations around professional standards, wellbeing, and ethical ministry. Rather than viewing supervision merely as a regulatory requirement, the project asks how it may also serve as a formative and developmental practice that fosters reflection and ministerial growth.

Using a qualitative methodology, the study employs semi-structured interviews with Anglican clergy who engage in supervision and with their supervisors, creating supervisee–supervisor dyads.

By exploring the space between external accountability and reflective practice, the research seeks to contribute to contemporary discussions about clergy formation and to offer insights into how supervision might enable both safer and more sustainable ministry within the Anglican Church of Australia.

Why I chose Charles Sturt

CSU had a robust history of theological education, as well as supervisors who are experts in my subject area. CSU also offered my a scholarship that covered my course fees for the PhD.

Publications

Eacott S; Hodges K, 2014, 'The generative temporality of teaching under revision', Critical Studies in Education, 55, pp. 289 - 302, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17508487.2014.922488