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Brenton Stacey
Public relations officer

Avondale could claim to be the leading provider of theological training in Australia if it implemented a more gender inclusive model, says a college academic.

Sydney campus chaplain and lecturer Dr Drene Somasundram developed one such model from the findings and the recommendations of the women she interviewed for her Doctorate in Professional Studies. The women all studied theology at a private Christian tertiary institution in Australia and now work as ministers.

According to the summary of thesis, Dr Somasundram found "the major themes of ambivalence in identity formation, the struggle to question dominant hegemony and existence in hostile environments depict the lifeworld of clergywomen."

In other words, the women described their training framed within the context of masculinity, "and in a postmodern society, gender inclusivity is something we must strive for in theological education," says Dr Somasundram.

Dr Somasundram's model seeks a more fluid approach to theological training. It embodies both gender inclusive pedagogy and so-called "thirdspace" thinking. "This new philosophy creates a mental, spatial space between our physical and social spaces," says Dr Somasundram. "It enables students to locate a subjective space where they can negotiate and bring their own experiences to education."

Dr Somasundram completed her degree through Middlesex University in December this past year. She graduates in July.--with Kristin Thiele