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Centre for the Study of Wellbeing

Aims to conduct research into contemporary wellbeing related matters faced primarily by, though not limited to, UK Muslims. This will be achieved through creating a dynamic hub of academic expertise within Markfield Institute in partnership with external organisations.
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About us

Serving Communities in Any Capacity

Service Development

We provide a network for members to develop their service to communities globally. This includes professional development activities and peer support.

Mentoring & Networking

Members can access a global network of individuals serving communities. This includes peer mentoring, partnerships, and professional mentoring from leaders.

Member Benefits

Members enjoy free annual round table discussions, discounts on training courses, and a monthly spotlight on grassroots expertise. A quarterly newsletter highlights achievements and collaboration opportunities.

Join the network

Employed full time

£30 per year

Employed part time/unemployed

£15 per year
Please note renewals need to be within one calendar month of your renewal date. Membership will cease for non-renewals within this timeframe. Also, ensure you read the code of conduct before completing the application form.

Vision

Where traditionally research has been conducted upon Muslim communities, the Centre for the Study of Wellbeing vision is to create spaces within which Muslims can lead on their own narrative and set the agenda in terms of how wellbeing is defined and measured for Muslim communities, particularly within pluralistic context.

Our work focuses on two primary strands:

1. Undertaking research regarding contemporary wellbeing related matters, designed to create impact at a grassroots level, with benefits reaching wider society.

2. Embedding of research and academia within wellbeing expertise held at a grassroots level in order to develop, highlight, share, and provide robust evidence of innovative community initiatives, and further provide opportunities for strengthening such initiatives.

Wellbeing within this context is defined as a holistic approach to health, exploring social, psychological, spiritual, and physical health and wellbeing. Contextual factors relating to living in a pluralistic society is deemed integral to this.
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Dr. Rahmanara Chowdhury
Course Leader for BA and MA Islam and Pastoral Care

Our Director

She completed her undergraduate studies in Ergonomics at Loughborough University. She has a Masters in Psychology from Nottingham Trent University and completed her PhD exploring Domestic Violence and Abuse in the UK Muslim population, at Brunel University London. Her PhD research was funded by the ESRC Grand Union Doctoral Training programme. She is the author of ‘Qawwamoon; Protectors and Maintainers’, and ‘Road to Recovery’, Ta Ha Publishers and is the Head of the newly formed MIHE Centre for the Study of Wellbeing.
Our Team

Meet the Team

Dr. Zahid Parvez

Rector of the Markfield Institute

Dr Zahid Parvez is currently the Rector of the Markfield Institute of Higher Education and Head of Quality since 2013. He specialises in Information management, leadership development, and sustainable development from an Islamic perspective.

Dr Parvez has held leadership positions in several national charities and community organisations since 1985. He has engaged in delivering education and training on leadership development to a range of national and international organisations for over 30 years. This training has included sessions on strategic thinking, leadership skills, strategy and change management in the Information Age, Problem-solving and Decision-making, Project management, Risk management, Cross-cultural management, Performance management, and Personal development.

Before joining the Institute, Dr Parvez was a Senior Lecturer in Information Management at the University of Wolverhampton Business School for 20 years (1992 – 2012).  He also served as an external examiner at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Hertfordshire University and Staffordshire University (for Oman delivery). He also served as the Chief Executive of the Muath Trust.

Dr Parvez has authored several academic papers published in peer-reviewed journals on e-democracy and problem-solving from an Islamic Perspective. He has also written a book entitled, “Building a New Society: An Islamic Approach to Social Change.

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What People Says About Us

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