Born in Mumbai (India) in 1954, Francis-Vincent Antony obtained his Doctorate in Theology (Sacrae Theologiae Doctor) with a specialization in Youth Ministry and Catechetics at Salesian Pontifical University, Rome (1993), where he is currently a Full Professor of Practical Theology. Having introduced empirical theological research with his doctoral dissertation and publications (UPS, Rome 1993; LAS, Rome 1997; Deepagam, Chennai 1999) on the Italian and Indian contexts, he has been part of international empirical research projects such as Religion and Conflict in the Indian Context (2003-2014), Teaching Religion in a Multicultural European Society (2006-2009), Believing and Communicating (2009-2016), Religion and Human Rights (two phases: 2005-2011, 2012-2023), and Spirituality, Education and Leadership (2016-2020). He is presently engaged, together with colleagues, in the following research project: Pearl Trading in Muthupettai: Historical Development and future of a Tamil Christian Community (2020-2025). In the coming years, he hopes to bring together the findings of over 30 years of empirical research among youth, educators and pastoral agents in a publication: "Public Religious Pedagogy and Education: Contextual Empirical Approach".