Water & Oil: Sacraments of (Un)Belonging
A practice-based PhD exploring belonging, memory, landscape and sacrament through sound.
Through practices of deep listening, field recording, creative writing, and sound design, the project investigates how landscapes, memories, bodies, and stories can become places of belonging, transformation, and sacramental experience.
About the Research
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Jude’s PGR profile: University of Glasgow
Research email: j.mills.2@research.gla.ac.uk
Personal email: hello@judemills.com
PhD Supervisor: Professor Heather Walton
Theology and Religious Studies. 4 The Square, University of Glasgow, G12 8QQ
Supervisor’s e-mail: Heather.Walton@glasgow.ac.uk
Materials relating to the study have been scrutinised and approved by members of the
College of Arts & Humanities Research Ethics reviewer panel
Water & Oil: Sacraments of (Un)Belonging is a creative practice research project exploring how podcasting can become a space for theological reflection, storytelling, and encounter. Developed as part of a PhD in Theology through Creative Practice, the seven-part audio series combines environmental soundscapes, oral storytelling, interviews, original music, and personal reflection.
The podcast will be released in seven weekly episodes, beginning on 2nd November 2026. Listen on Substack for the episode notes and full episode transcripts. You can also search for the podcast on your usual podcast feed.
You don’t have to subscribe (although it would be nice if you did!) Just click the link to listen
The Music
One of the most creatively revealing parts of this project has been returning to music (my original creative practice)
What started as an intention to record an introductory theme evolved into creating seven original pieces of incidental music. I will release the music as the episodes are released.