Welcome
We are a community of postgraduate students, researchers, postdocs, and academics from across the University of East Anglia and the wider Norwich academic community.
Many of us are Christians from different church traditions and backgrounds, but everyone is welcome, whether you are a Christian, exploring faith, or simply interested in questions about Christianity, academic life, and how the two relate.
Together, we explore what it means to follow Christ in the life of the university: how Christian faith shapes the way we think, research, teach, and engage with our disciplines.
We are part of the interdenominational, Europe-wide Association of Christian Postgraduate Groups, connecting us with similar communities at universities across Europe.
The Association is supported through the Gospel & Academia Project (GAP), a collaboration of Christian university ministries working together to resource students and early-career academics as they explore the relationship between the Gospel and academic life.
Our Vision
We believe that all things were created through Christ and for Christ, including our academic lives. We want our faith to shape how we study, research, teach, and contribute to the university.
Together, we explore how Christ shapes our disciplines and how our disciplines point us back to Christ. We seek to pursue truth with intellectual humility, engage seriously with the questions of our fields, and serve the university and God’s world through our work.
We aim to be a community that prays, learns, questions, and grows together, encouraging one another to live as faithful disciples and scholars.
For the good of the university, the flourishing of God’s world, and the glory of Christ.
Upcoming Events
Lunch and prayerWed 21 OctLocation is TBD
Distinction 1: The Eternal SonWed 11 NovLocation is TBD- Distinction 2: The Creator-Creature RelationshipWed 09 DecLocation is TBD
- Distinction 3: Creation, Fall, RedemptionWed 10 FebLocation is TBD
- Distinction 4: Union with ChristWed 10 MarLocation is TBD
- Distinction 5: The Integrity of Salvation HistoryWed 14 AprLocation is TBD
- Distinction 6: The Mission of the Universal ChurchWed 12 MayLocation is TBD
- Distinction 7: Our Local Opportunity to Serve God at WorkWed 09 JunLocation is TBD
- Lunch and prayerWed 07 OctLocation is TBD
Meet the Team
CPAN Norwich is led by Christian postgraduate researchers who share a desire to see faith and scholarship brought into meaningful conversation. Meet the people helping to shape and grow our community.
Group Leader
Lavinia Pascu, PhD Politics
Lavinia is a PhD researcher in Politics in the School of Politics, Philosophy and Area Studies at UEA. Her doctoral research focuses on political communication, diaspora politics and audience reception, with particular attention to the Romanian diaspora.
Her Christian academic interests include political theology, Christian approaches to political communication and discourse, and the intersection of Christian diaspora experiences with exile theology.
As group leader, Lavinia coordinates CPAN Norwich and is passionate about creating a community where postgraduates and academics can explore how Christian faith shapes their scholarship, disciplines and life within the university.
Beyond CPAN, she is actively involved in Christian life at UEA and in Norwich. Together with Jonathan, she co-leads the International Café through UEA Christian Union, creating a relaxed and welcoming space where international students can meet others, build friendships and feel at home in Norwich.
She is also an active member of Hebron Chapel in Norwich.
Group Co-leader
Jonathan David, PhD Chemical Biology
Jonathan is a PhD researcher in the School of Chemistry, Pharmacy and Pharmacology at UEA, where he applies his background in chemistry to the development of new diagnostic tools for cancer.
His Christian academic interests include the relationship between Christian faith and the biological sciences, and how scientific knowledge and innovation can contribute to the flourishing of God’s creation.
As co-leader, Jonathan helps lead CPAN Norwich and is passionate about encouraging Christian postgraduates to see their research as part of their wider calling to follow Christ and serve others through their academic work.
Beyond CPAN, Jonathan is actively involved in Christian life at UEA and in Norwich. Together with Lavinia, he co-leads the International Café through UEA Christian Union, helping create a welcoming space where international students can meet others and build friendships.
He is also a member of CityGates Church Norwich, where he serves in the Sunday School ministry.