Introducing the Institute for the Impact of Faith in Life
The Institute for the Impact of Faith in Life (IIFL) is a research forum exploring and analysing the role that faith and religious belief plays in the lives of people in the U.K., whether at work, at home or in the community.
IIFL uses a broad range of qualitative and quantitative methodologies and mechanisms to establish the impact of faith in every facet of life, by bringing together academics and researchers representative of Britain’s religious diversity.
IIFL explores the ways in which faith and religious belief shapes and structures peoples’ lives, by focusing on faith groups with reputations for civic and community engagement, both at home and abroad. IIFL is particularly interested in the dynamics and interplay between, across and within different faiths, and the varying impact of religious beliefs in peoples’ working lives, work-life balance, overall life satisfaction, and civic and community engagement.
IIFL’s work makes an impact through multiple workstreams, primarily through producing reports focusing on different faiths, ranging from case studies to comparative analyses. We also hold public seminars and panels, attended by representatives of different faith groups, discussing a range of appropriate topics. In addition, we publish studies, exploring the impact that faith has on perceptions of and engagement with issues such as social justice, climate change, and female empowerment.
The personal views of our team do not reflect the views of the Institute. The Institute is committed to fostering a productive and educational dialogue in modern Britain towards the positive role that faith can play.
Our team
Charlotte started her career as a Prevent practitioner on behalf of the UK government, going on to be a Counter-Extremism Coordinator for an East London Borough. From this Charlotte went on to found her own community interest company with the aim of countering extremism and promoting equality. She developed and took projects that focused on women’s rights and tackling domestic violence to the West Bank, Palestine. Alongside this she consulted for Muslims Against Antisemitism, working towards greater tolerance and cohesion between communities in the UK. She has written multiple reports including an investigation into antisemitism and anti-Hindu hate in UK schools amongst others pertaining to issues of extremism and radicalisation. She is a PhD candidate in Arab and Islamic studies with the University of Exeter University; her research focuses on minority within Muslim minority conflict in the UK, in particular the persecution of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.
A prolific political commentator, Esther regularly appears on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, Piers Morgan’s Uncensored, GB News, Talk TV, Sky News UK, and Sky News Australia. Her contributions combine insightful perspective, open dialogue, and incisive, no-nonsense opinion. Esther also writes a weekly column for the Daily Express, and appears in the Daily Telegraph, Daily Mail, Sky News Australia, Spiked Online, and The Sun. She contributes thought-provoking perspectives and is a colourful part of the public dialogue.
Amanda is in the last stage of a PhD through the Centre for Catholic Studies at Durham University in theology with a specialist interest in psychology. Her thesis involves a critical reflection on Pope John Paul II’s theology of self-giving as human flourishing using Carl Jung’s psychoanalytical theory and positive psychology. In July, Amanda will begin a fellowship with Birmingham University in psychological cross-training for theologians. With a BSc in Psychology with Criminology and an Ma in Philosophical Theology, Amanda also teaches Sankhya philosophy on a yoga teaching training programme.
Rania is very passionate about gaining a better understanding of civic participation and community dynamics. She has completed a BA in International Relations from King’s College London, and an MSc in Sociology and Global Change from the University of Edinburgh. Committed to empowering inclusive communities, she contributes to social change through her research and advocacy.
