We are delighted to announce that Dr Tim Middleton’s recent book, based on his DPhil dissertation, Witnessing a Wounded World: A Theology of Ecological Trauma, has received not one, but TWO, international prizes.  

An exploration of what might be gained by viewing ecological suffering through the lens of trauma, the book has been awarded the 2026 Research Prize of the European Society for the Study of Science and Theology (ESSSAT). The prize recognises an outstanding original contribution, at book length, to the study of the relationship between religion or theology and the natural sciences.  

Witnessing a Wounded World has also won the 2026 International Society for Science and Religion (ISSR) Book Prize in the Professionals and Educators category. The ISSR judges praised the book as ‘scholarly, insightful, passionate, and committed to beginning a conversation’, highlighting its innovative use of trauma theology to explore the suffering caused by climate change and the wider ecological crisis.  

Published by Fordham University Press (and available open access), the book brings ecotheology and trauma theology into dialogue, asking what it might mean to understand the Earth itself as wounded or traumatised, and how Christian theology might respond to ecological devastation.  

Reflecting on the awards, Dr Middleton said, “It is a real honour to have my work recognised in this way, and a delight to see that Witnessing a Wounded World is resonating with readers. My hope is that the book continues to prompt ecotheological reflection on the current planetary situation.” 

Huge congratulations to Tim on these fantastic achievements!