Oxford Faculty Retreat at Yarnton Manor

In May 2026, the Global Faculty Initiative, in partnership with Yarnton Manor, the Oxford Pastorate, and Developing a Christian Mind, welcomed University of Oxford faculty and postdoctoral academics to a one-day retreat. Participants came from an unusually wide range of fields, including theology, Spanish literature, music, chemistry, history, physics, computer science, and biology.

The gathering invited participants to reflect on how love bears on their own areas of research and to join in fellowship and worship.

Approximately 25 academics and postdoctoral scholars from a range of disciplines attended.

How the Day Unfolded

• Introductions 

  Professor Tom Simpson (Wolfson College, Government, Blavatnik School, Oxford)
  Professor Emeritus Terry Halliday (GFI/ABF)
   

• Session 1: The Theology of Love

  Chair: Terry Halliday (GFI/ABF)
  Rev. Professor Paul Fiddes (Regent’s Park College; Theology, Oxford)
  Dr. Ruan Bessa (Theology, Oxford)
  Rev. Professor Joshua Hordern (Harris Manchester College; Theology, Oxford)
  Commentator: Rev. Dr. Jonny Torrance (Lincoln College; Theology, Oxford),
   

• Session 2: Love, Humanities and Fine Arts

  Rev. Dr. Bethan Willis, Oxford Pastorate (chair)
  Professor Alice Brooke (Merton College, Spanish, Oxford)
  Dr. Christopher Blakey (Wycliffe Hall, Music, Oxford)
  Dr. Benjamin Sharkey (History, Oxford)
  Commentator: Dr. Min Yen Ong (Music, Oxford)
   

• Devotions and lunch – A midday pause for worship and fellowship over lunch
   

• Session 3 Love and Natural Science

  Professor Paul Ewart (chair)(Worcester College. College; Physics, Oxford)
  Professor Emeritus Ian Hutchinson (Nuclear Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology/MIT) (joining remotely)
  Professor Lorna Smith (St. Hilda’s College; Chemistry, Oxford)
  Rev. Professor Andrew Gosler (Mansfield College; Biology, Oxford)
  Dr. Bruno Cavalar (Computer Science, Oxford)