LESLIE JOHN FRANCIS,
PhD, DLitt, ScD, DD, C.Psychol, FBPsS, FCP
______
PUBLICATION PROFILE
Throughout his academic career Leslie J Francis has conducted research at the intersection of the three disciplines of education, psychology and theology, displaying particular concern with the twin themes of conceptualisation and measurement. His publications cover 38 main topics.
1. Religion, values, and young people
2. Rural church
3. Church schools, church colleges
4. Congregation studies
5. Attitude toward religion
6. Psychological type and religion
7. Biblical hermeneutics, preaching and psychological type
8. Personality and religion
9. Clergy and psychological type
10. Church leaving
11. Clergy studies
12. Clergy, work-related psychological health and burnout
13. Theology of education
14. Religious education
15. Prayer and psychology
16. Psychology of religion
17. Empirical theology
18. Religion in Northern Ireland: teenagers
19. Science and religion
20. Beliefs: Religious and paranormal
21. God images
22. Religion and positive psychology: happiness and purpose in life
23. Clergy and personality
24. Religious affiliation
25. Religion and mental health
26. Measurement in psychology
27. Church vitality studies
28. Technology and television
29. Substances and religion
30. Pentecostal and charismatic studies
31. Mysticism and religious experience
32. Religion and suicide
33. Cathedral studies
34. Parliament of the World’s Religions
35. Implicit religion
36. Spiritual health
37. Religious diversity
38. Religion and human rights
1. Religious values and young people
Since the 1970s Leslie J Francis has organised and co-ordinated a series of major surveys exploring the association between religion and values among young people. His early work developed the Centymca Values Survey that has formed the basis for the current Teenage Religions and Values Survey. Findings from the surveys have been published in a series of books and in focused articles.
Books authored
Francis, L. J. (1982). Youth in transit: A profile of 16-25 year olds. Aldershot: Gower. pp viii + 189. ISBN 0-566-00530-1.
Francis, L. J. (1982). Experience of adulthood: A profile of 26-39 year olds. Aldershot: Gower. pp viii + 221. ISBN 0-566-00662-X.
Francis, L. J. (1984). Young and unemployed. Tunbridge Wells: Costello. pp viii + 166. ISBN 0-7104-0051-9 and ISBN 0-7104-0052-7.
Francis, L. J. (1984). Teenagers and the Church: A profile of church-going youth in the 1980s. London: Collins Liturgical Publications. pp xvi + 167. ISBN 0-00-599773-9.
Francis, L. J., & Kay, W. K. (1995). Teenage religion and values. Leominster: Gracewing. pp viii + 224. ISBN 0-85244-282-3.
Kay, W. K., & Francis, L. J. (1996). Drift from the Churches: Attitude toward Christianity during childhood and adolescence. Cardiff: University of Wales Press. pp x + 266. ISBN 0-7083-1330-2.
Francis, L. J. (2001). The values debate: A voice from the pupils. London: Woburn Press. pp x + 246. ISBN 0-7130-0209-3 and ISBN 0-7130-4029-3.
Francis, L. J., & Martineau, J. (2001). Rural youth. Stoneleigh Park: Acora Publishing. pp viii + 124. ISBN 0-9516871-9-0.
Francis, L. J., & Robbins, M. (2005). Urban hope and spiritual health: The adolescent voice. Peterborough: Epworth. pp viii + 280. ISBN 0-7162-0609-9.
Books edited
Francis, L. J., Kay, W. K., Kerbey A., & Fogwill O. (Eds.). (1995). Fast-moving currents in youth culture. Oxford: Lynx. pp. 271. ISBN 0-7459-3062-X and ISBN 0-7324-1256-0.
Chapters
Francis, L. J. (1992). Christianity today: the teenage experience. In J. Astley and D. V. Day (Eds.), The contours of Christian education (pp. 340-368). Great Wakering: McCrimmons. ISBN 0-85597-495-8.
Francis, L. J., Wilcox C., & Astley, J. (1992). What is a Christian? Investigating the understanding of 16-19 year olds, In J. Astley and D. V. Day (Eds.), The Contours of Christian Education (pp. 325-339). Gt Wakering: McCrimmons. ISBN 0-85597-495-8.
Francis, L. J. (1994). Belief beyond the churches: the teenage experience. In P. Brierley & B. Myers (Eds.), UK Christian Schools Book 95-96: south east (pp. 5-12). London: Christian Research. ISBN 1-853-21120-6.
Burton, L., & Francis, L. J. (1996). Growing up Catholic today: The teenage experience. In L. J. Francis, W. K. Kay, & W. S. Campbell (Eds.), Research in religious education (pp. 359-381). Leominster: Gracewing. ISBN 0-85244-342-0 and ISBN 1-57312-053-7.
Francis, L. J., & Evans, T. E. (1996). The relationship between marital disruption and adolescent values: A study among 13-15 year olds. In C. A. Everett (Ed.), Divorce and remarriage: International studies (pp. 195-213). New York: Haworth Press. ISBN 0-7890-0319-8.
Francis, L. J. (2001). Religion and values: a quantitative perspective in L. J. Francis, J. Astley, & M. Robbins (Eds.). The Fourth R for the Third Millennium: education in religion and values for the global future (pp. 47-78). Dublin: Lindisfarne Books. ISBN 1-85390-507-0.
Francis, L. J. (2001). The social significance of religious affiliation among adolescents in England and Wales,. In H.-G. Ziebertz (Ed.). Religious Individualisation and Christian Religious Semantics (pp. 115-138). Münster: Lit Verlag. ISBN 3-8258-4960-).
Francis, L. J. (2001). God images, personal wellbeing and moral values: a survey among 13-15 year olds in England and Wales. In H.-G. Ziebertz (Ed.). Imagining God: Empirical explorations from an international perspective (pp. 125-144). Munster: Lit Verlag. ISBN 3-8258-5425-).
Kay, W. K. & Francis, L. J. (2001). Religious education and school assembly in England and Wales: what do religious minorities think? In H.-G. Heimbrock, C. Th. Scheilke, & P. Schreiner (Eds.), Towards religious competence: Diversity as a challenge for education in Europe (pp. 117-128). Munster: Lit Verlag. ISBN 3-8258-5015-).
Francis, L. J. (2003). Recognising and educating religious minorities in England and Wales, in Y. Iram (Ed.), Education of minorities and peace education in pluralistic societies (pp. 123-148). Westport, Connecticut: Praeger. ISBN 0-275-97821-4.
Francis, L. J. (2003). A socio-psychological profile of young Anglicans in Wales: a study in empirical theology. In R. Pope (Ed.), Honouring the past and shaping the future: Essays in honour of Gareth Lloyd Jones (pp. 233-252). Leominster: Gracewing. ISBN 0-85244-401-X.
Francis, L. J. (2004). Empirical theology and hermeneutical religious education: a case study concerning adolescent attitudes toward abortion. In H. Lombaerts & D. Pollefeyt (Eds.), Hermeneutics and religious education (pp. 355-373). Leuven: Peeters. ISBN 90-429-1558-7.
Francis, L. J. (2005). Attitudinal dimension of religion; Happiness; Prayer in psychological perspective; Psychological correlates of religion; Psychological type and religion; Psychopathology, personality and religion; Purpose in life; Self-esteem. In E.M. Dowling & W. G. Scarlett (Eds.), Encyclopaedia of religious and spiritual development (pp 23-25, 187, 350-352, 358-359, 361-365, 367-368, 403-404). London: Sage. ISBN 0-7619-2883-9.
Francis, L. J. (2008). Self-assigned religious affiliation: a study among adolescents in England and Wales. In B. Spalek & A. Imtoual (Eds.), Religion, spirituality and the social sciences: Challenging marginalisation (pp. 149-161). Bristol: Policy Press. ISBN 978-184-742-0411.
Robbins, M., & Francis, L. J. (2010). The Teenage Religion and Values Survey in England and Wales. In S. Collins-Mayo & B. Pink Dandelion (Eds.), Religion and Youth (pp. 47-54). Aldershot: Ashgate. ISBN 978 0 7546 6768 1.
Francis, L. J., & Penny, G. (2012). The ethos of Anglican secondary schools reflected through pupil values: An empirical enquiry among 13- to 15- year-olds. In H. Worsley (Ed.). Anglican church school education: Moving beyond the first two hundred years (pp. 131-148). London Continuum. ISBN 9781441125132
Francis, L. J., & Penny, G. (2013). Religion and values: A review of empirical research. In J. Arthur and T. Lovat (Eds.), The Routledge international handbook of education, religion and values (pp. 197-209). London: Routledge. ISBN 978 0 415 51919 9.
Articles
Francis, L. J., & Atkinson, R. W. B. (1987). Market town Christianity today: The teenage response. Religion Today, 4, 3, 3-5.
Francis, L. J. (1992). Primary school size and pupil attitudes: Small is happy? Educational Management and Administration, 20, 100-104.
Francis, L. J. (1993).The identity of Anglicanism: The teenage experience. Collegium, 2(1), 4-12.
Francis, L. J., & Jones, S. H. (1994). The relationship between Eysenck’s personality factors and fear of bullying among 13-15 year olds in England and Wales. Evaluation and Research in Education, 8, 111-118.
Jones, S. H., & Francis, L. J. (1995). The relationship between Eysenck’s personality factors and attitude towards truancy among 13-15 year olds in England and Wales. Personality and Individual Differences, 19, 225-233.
Kay, W. K. & Francis, L. J. (1995). The young British atheist: A socio-psychological profile. Journal of Empirical Theology, 8, 2, 5-26.
Francis, L. J. (1997). Christianity, personality and concern about environmental pollution among 13- to 15- year olds. Journal of Beliefs and Values, 18, 7-16.
Francis, L. J. (1997). The socio-psychological profile of the teenage television addict. Muslim Education Quarterly, 15, 4-19.
Francis, L. J., & Evans, T. E. (1997). The relationship between marital disruption and adolescent values: a study among 13-15 year olds. Journal of Divorce and Remarriage, 26(3/4), 195-213.
Francis, L. J. (1999). The benefits of growing up in rural England: A study among 13-15 year old females. Educational Studies, 25, 335-341.
Francis, L. J. (2000).Who reads the Bible: A study among 13-15 year olds. British Journal of Religious Education, 22, 165-172.
Francis, L. J., & Robbins, M. (2004). Belonging without believing: A study in the social significance of Anglican identity and implicit religion among 13-15 year old males. Implicit Religion, 7, 37-54.
Francis, L. J. (2005). Independent Christians schools and pupil values: An empirical investigation among 13- to 15-year-old boys. British Journal of Religious Education, 27, 127-141.
Francis, L. J. (2010). Spiritual health and religious formation: The adolescent experience. Crucible, 49, 7-14. ISSN 0011 2100.
Robbins, M., & Francis, L. J. (2010). The Teenage Religion and Values survey in England and Wales: An overview. British Journal of Religious Education, 32, 307-320. ISSN 0414 6200.
Fawcett, B. G., Francis, L. J., Linkletter, J., & Robbins, M. (2012). Religiosity and alcohol avoidance: A study among Canadian Baptist Youth. Journal of Youth Ministry, 11, 45-63. ISSN 15410412.
Francis, L. J., Penny, G., & Baker, S. (2012). Defining and assessing spiritual health: A comparative study among 13-to 15-year-old pupils attending secular schools, Anglican schools, and private Christian schools in England and Wales. The Peabody Journal of Education, 87, 351-367. ISSN 0161 956X.
Fawcett, B. G., Francis, L. J., Henderson, A. J., Robbins, M., & Linkletter, J. (2013). Religiosity and music copyright theft: A study among Canadian Baptist Youth. Journal of Research in Christian Education, 22, 153-164. ISSN 1065 6219.
Francis, L. F., Fawcett, B. G., & Linkletter, J. (2013). The sexual attitudes of religiously committed Canadian youth within the Convention of Atlantic Baptist Churches. Journal of Youth and Theology, 12, 7-23. ISSN 1741 0819.
Francis, L. J., Laycock, P., & Penny, G. (2016). Distinguishing between spirituality and religion: Accessing the worldview correlates of 13- to 15-year-old students. Research in the Social Scientific Study of Religion, 27, 43-67. ISSN 1046 5237.
Village, A., & Francis, L. J. (2016). The development of the Francis Moral Values Scales: A study among 16- to 18-year-old students taking Religious Studies at A level in the UK. Journal of Beliefs and Values, 37, 347-356. ISSN 1361 7672.
2. Rural church
Since the early 1980s Leslie J Francis has promoted research into the specific context of the rural church, rural society, and rural mission. He currently serves as editor of the journal Rural Theology and as Chair of the Rural Theology Association.
Books authored
Francis, L. J. (1985). Rural Anglicanism: A future for young Christians? London: Collins Liturgical Publications. pp 182. ISBN 0-00-599845-X.
Francis, L. J. (1986). Partnership in rural education: Church schools and teacher attitudes. London: Collins Liturgical Publications. pp 192. ISBN 0-00-599885-9.
Francis, L. J. (1996). Church watch: Christianity in the countryside. London: SPCK. pp viii + 248. ISBN 0-281-04951-3.
Francis, L. J., & Martineau, J. (1996). Rural praise: A parish workbook for worship in the country church. Leominster: Gracewing. pp ix + 124. ISBN 0-85244-388-9.
Francis, L. J., Littler, K., & Martineau, M. (2000). Rural ministry. Stoneleigh Park: Acora Publishing. pp viii + 126. ISBN 0-9516871-6-6.
Francis, L. J., & Martineau, J. (2001). Rural visitors. Stoneleigh Park: Acora Publishing. pp viii + 116. ISBN 0-9540766-0-5.
Francis, L. J., & Martineau, J. (2001). Rural youth. Stoneleigh Park: Acora Publishing. pp viii + 124. ISBN 0-9516871-9-0.
Francis, L. J., &Martineau, J. (2002). Rural mission. Stoneleigh Park: Acora Publishing. pp x +130. ISBN 0-9540766-1-3.
Martineau J., Francis L. J., & Francis, P. (Eds.). (2004). Changing rural life: A Christian response to key rural issues. Norwich: Canterbury Press. pp. x + 262. ISBN 1-85311-599-1.
Bowden, A., Francis, L. J., Jordan, E., & Simon, O. (2012). Ordained Local Ministry in the Church of England. London Continuum. ISBN 978 1 4411 5955 7.
Books edited
Francis, L. J., & Robbins, M. (Eds.) (2012). Rural life and rural church: Theological and empirical perspectives. Sheffield: Equinox. ISBN 987 1 84553 984 9 and 978 1 84553 983 2.
Chapters
Francis, L. J. (1989). Method and interpretation. In M. Wilson (Ed.), The rural church: Towards 2000 (pp. 69-77). Bulwick: The Rural Theology Association. ISBN 0-951-4899-0-9.
Brewster, C. E., Francis, L. J., & Robbins, M. (2011). Maintaining a public ministry in rural England: Work-related psychological health and psychological type among Anglican clergy serving in multi-church benefices. In. L. J. Francis, & H-G. Ziebertz (Eds.) The public significance of religion. (pp. 241-265). Leiden: Brill. ISBN 978 9004 20706 6.
Francis, L. J. (2014). Structural changes in the rural Church of England: Mapping changes and exploring consequences for clergy. In F. Dünkel, M. Herbst, and T. Schlegel (Eds.), Think rural! (pp. 75-89). Heidelberg: Springer. ISBN 978 3 658 03930 1.
Francis, L. J. (2014). Taking discipleship and education for discipleship seriously: Enabling lay people to enrich church and society in rural areas. In M. Alex and T. Schlegel (Eds.), Mittenrrin! Kirche in peripheren länlichen Regionen (pp. 136-147). Neukirchener: Neukirchen-Vluyn. ISBN 978 3 7887 7 2829 8.
Articles
Francis, L. J., & Lankshear, D. W. (1990). The impact of church schools on village church life. Educational Studies, 16, 117-129.
Francis, L. J., & Lankshear, D. W. (1991). Faith in the Isle of Wight: A profile of rural Anglicanism. Contact, 105, 28-33
Francis, L. J., & Lankshear, D. W. (1992). The rural rectory: the impact of a resident priest on local church life. Journal of Rural Studies, 8, 97-103.