A Scholarship offers the successful applicant a supportive and encouraging space and place for reflection, study and work.
Applicants can be lay or ordained, hold a recognised level of tertiary education, be committed to an approved subject of study and able to be resident at Vaughan Park for the period of the Scholarship.
Comfortable en-suite studio accommodation with all meals are provided.
A split between one and two-month Scholarships, depending on Board approval.
APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN FOR THE 2026 VAUGHAN PARK RESIDENT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME
SUBMISSION DEADLINE 30TH SEPTEMBER 2025
Theological research and reflection serve as the bedrock for contemporary interpretations of ancient texts and lessons. The Vaughan Park Resident Scholarship is designed to foster this critical endeavor by offering a nurturing and supportive environment where scholars can delve deeply into their studies. This scholarship not only provides the resources and space needed for intensive theological inquiry but also encourages the kind of scholarly community that stimulates intellectual growth and innovative thinking. Through this program, researchers can bridge the gap between ancient wisdom and modern understanding, contributing valuable insights to the field of theology.
The Governance Board invites applications for the 2026 Vaughan Park Residential Scholarship.
The criteria for application is a project that reflects a clear and concise Theological connection, where the medium of delivery can be either written or visual.
The Scholarship offers the successful applicant a supportive and encouraging space, and place, to work on their specific project.
Applicants can be lay or ordained; holding a recognised level of tertiary education; committed to an approved subject of study; and able to reside at Vaughan Park for the period of the Scholarship.
A comfortable, en-suite studio and all meals are provided for the duration of the Scholarship period awarded.
Applications may be made for either a one or two-month-long residency. The Scholarship period is available throughout the year, with the exception of January and December (noting the Centre will be closed over the Easter period). In your application, please indicate three preferences for the months when you would be able to undertake your study.
WE WELCOME OUR SCHOLARS FOR 2025
FEBRUARY - Rev. Dr. Kathy Kelly (USA)
Kathy is a theologian and pastor with a passion for supporting healthy church communities. She will address the deeply relevant topics of parish conflicts and mental health, providing insights and strategies to help churches navigate these challenges.
MARCH - Hua Dai (Aotearoa New Zealand)
Hua is a poet and creative thinker who will use her residency to explore spirituality and healing through poetry. After 15 years of continuous work following a life-changing event in 2002, this scholarship offers her the space to pause, reflect, and reconnect with divine guidance as she contemplates the next phase of her journey.
APRIL - Justin Bristow (Australia)
Justin is a scholar in political theology with a focus on the intersection of faith and conflict. During his time at Vaughan Park, he will develop a political theology of civil war, exploring how chaos has been framed as the adversary of political-theological life in the Western tradition.
MAY - Rev. David Jackson (Aotearoa New Zealand)
David is a minister with a passion for children’s spiritual formation. His residency will focus on exploring the power of storytelling in shaping children’s faith, examining how stories ignite imagination, make Divine truths relatable, and inspire deeper spiritual exploration.
JUNE - Taulu Schuster (Aotearoa New Zealand)
Taulu will explore the faith dynamics of Generation Z Polynesians and their relationship with the church. His work seeks to provide valuable insights into how young people engage with spirituality in the modern world, particularly within Polynesian communities.
JULY - Rev. Dr. Feiloaiga Taule’ale’ausumai (Aotearoa New Zealand)
Known as Fei, she is a trailblazing fafine (Pacific woman) leader with 34 years of ministry experience. During her residency, Fei will focus on writing memoirs reflecting her remarkable faith and leadership journey. Her work will offer profound insights into her ministry, cultural heritage, and the unique challenges and triumphs she has experienced as a fafine in spiritual leadership.
AUGUST - Dr. Anne-Marie Ellithorpe (Canada)
Anne-Marie is a scholar with a focus on friendship and kinship within the early Church in Aotearoa New Zealand. Her work will explore how these relationships shaped church history while considering the potential for an interdisciplinary Centre for Friendship Studies.
SEPTEMBER - Rev. Dr. Rangi Nicholson (Aotearoa New Zealand)
Rangi is a minister and theologian who will delve into Anglican equity issues in the context of honouring the Treaty of Waitangi as a sacred covenant. His research will explore the relationship between these two significant aspects of New Zealand’s history and spirituality.
OCTOBER - Dr. Cecelia Faumuina (Aotearoa New Zealand)
Cecelia is a cultural preservationist who will focus on the spiritual significance of traditional Tongan weaving. Her work seeks to ensure that this unique heritage remains deeply connected to faith and community.
NOVEMBER - The Venerable Dr. Michael Godfrey (Aotearoa New Zealand)
Michael is an archdeacon and historian who will research and write an updated history of the Diocese of Dunedin to mark its 150th anniversary. Using the ten bishops as era markers, he will examine their leadership and the interactions between the church and wider cultural contexts.