Dinesh Passi

This research responds to challenges encountered within grass-roots interfaith efforts in Coventry: contemporary mistrust between communities, despite memories of historical inter-faith collaboration in the postwar period. Rooted in the city and led by its practitioner, this research project is a collaboration between Together in Action, Centre of Trust Peace and Social Relations and University of Warwick History Department.  This research will record, validate and evidence histories of interfaith collaboration in the postwar period to inspire a new era of positive interfaith activity in contemporary Coventry and beyond.

PhD researcher with experience in senior positions in both the public and private sectors, including higher education and the commercial sector. Within higher education, I have worked on recruitment and retention strategies, client relationship management, postgraduate wellbeing initiatives, student experience, tutoring, coaching and engagement.  More recently, I have worked in roles that facilitate access to higher education for marginalized communities and initiatives that aim to enhance the educational experience for students from diverse backgrounds.

Currently, I am engaged in an AHRC M4C-funded collaborative doctoral research between Together in Action Trust’s (TiA) Coventry Sacred Space Initiative, CTPSR and University of Warwick History Department.  

In connection with my research, I presented my personal and professional motivations for this collaboration at the Rising Together event - The unheard stories of peace in November 2021.

Furthermore, I also collaborated with a research team at CTPSR headed by Professor Hussain on a City of Culture evaluation project commissioned by the Coventry City of Culture Trust in 2022 and 2023. During the research process, I was involved in several key consultations and data collection efforts to determine whether programming and cultural leadership evolved to reflect and represent the citizens of Coventry and the region.