Who we are

TORCH (The Oxford Research Centre in the Humanities) is a hub for intellectual collaboration and cross-disciplinary research projects, and is part of the Humanities Division at the University of Oxford. Our funding, training and networks develop research projects and careers and our engagement activity increases the social impact and understanding of humanities research amongst wider public audiences. 

On this page:  Impact stories   |   What we do  |   People  |   Annual Review

What we do

 
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People

TORCH is led by an academic Director.  This role is currently vacant, but a new Director will be announced shortly.  Previous Directors have been Professor Christine Gerrard 2023-2025 (Professor of English Literature), Professor Wes Williams, 2020-2023 (Professor of French Literature) supported by Professor Maria del Pilar Blanco (Academic Champion 2020-2023), Professor Philip Bullock (Professor of Russian Literature and Music), 2017-2020, Professor Elleke Boehmer (Professor of World Literature in English), 2015-2017, and the founding Director was Professor Stephen Tuck (Professor of History), 2012-2015. 

The TORCH Management Committee is chaired by the Associate Head of Research and Innovation in the Humanities Division, currently Professor Andrew Thompson (Professor of Global and Imperial History and a Professorial Fellow of Nuffield College)

TORCH is supported by an experienced administrative team, led by Sarah Clay (TORCH Centre Manager) 

 

For general enquiries about any aspect of TORCH work, please contact us on torch@humanities.ox.ac.uk 

 

 

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Chair: Professor Andrew Thompson (Associate Head of Research and Innovation, Humanities Division)

Professor Dan Grimley (Head of Humanities Division, and Music Faculty)

Professor Shadreck Chirikure (Archaeology) 

Professor Jacob Dahl (Asian and Middle Eastern Studies)

Professor Katrien Devolder (Uehiro)

Dr Emma Greensmith (Classics)

Professor Mark Harris (Theology)

Dr Onyeka Igwe (Ruskin School of Art)

Professor Sho Konishi (History)

Dr Joanna Neilly (MML)

Professor David Taylor (English)

Professor Jennifer Walshe (Music)

 

Sarah Clay (TORCH Centre Manager) - servicing the committee

Dr Michele Warren (Head of Research Support, Humanities Division) - in attendance

Dr Karen Houghton (Head of Impact, Humanities Division) - in attendance

Alexandra Vincent MBE (Divisional Registrar and Chief Operating Officer) - in attendance

 

The TORCH Management Committee reports into the Humanities Research Committee. 

 

Highlights and Annual Reviews

Find out more about TORCH from our Highlights booklet and previous Annual Reviews:

TORCH Highlights 2025

TORCH Annual Review 2022-23

TORCH Annual Review 2021-22

TORCH Annual Review 2020-21

TORCH Annual Review 2019-20

TORCH Annual Review 2018-19

TORCH Annual Review 2017-18

TORCH Annual Review 2016-17

TORCH Annual Review 2015-16

TORCH Annual Review 2014-15

TORCH Annual Review 2013-14