His Ph.D. from the
University of Leeds was on community formation amongst British
Muslims (1990-1994) and he has remained interested in the history of the development of Islamic religious life in Britain throughout his career. He has become known by his expertise in the adaptation and transmigration of religions to the West, especially
Islam, but also
Sikhism and
Hinduism and his academic championing of the study of 'lived' religions. He is the author of several books, including
The Sufis of Britain, which explores the manifestations of Islamic mysticism in the UK and
The Continuum Glossary of Religious Terminology an extensive glossary of seven major world faiths,
The Study of Religion (co-authored with George Chryssides), a key undergraduate text. Probably his most successful work has been
Islam in Victorian Britain: The Life and Times of Abdullah Quilliam, generating considerable interest among both Muslims in Britain and the media. Geaves has taught several subjects including Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, the Sociology and Anthropology of Religion,
Judaism,
Christianity and ancient religions. His interests lie in the spiritual manifestations of Islam and Indian traditions. Geaves was one of the earliest Western students of Maharaji (
Prem Rawat, known also as Guru Maharaj Ji). Geaves has written a number of papers related to Maharaji and his organizations, such as the
Divine Light Mission, and
Elan Vital. In July 2006, as he prepared to give an inaugural lecture at the University of Chester to dignitaries and members of the
Muslim community in the North West of
England, he commented that the
7 July 2005 London bombings were "primarily an extreme form of demonstration" that had to be seen within a long history of protests by British Muslims. He also said that "terrorism is a political word which always seems to be used to demonise people". Various spokespersons expressed strong disagreement with these statements. Since retirement from full-time University employment, he has continued his research into British Muslim communities and working alongside various Islamic educators, engaged in curriculum reform. He is currently Honorary Visiting Professor in the Centre for the Study of Islam in Britain at Cardiff University. ==Works==