Supervisor/s:
Joshua Hordern
College:
Keble
Research Overview:
Thesis Title - ‘To what extent is the body authoritative in Christian ethics?’
Biography:
Jess Wyatt is a doctoral candidate in the Faculty of Theology and Religion at the University of Oxford, affiliated with Keble College, as well as a Church of England ordinand at Wycliffe Hall. With a background in public affairs and refugee resettlement, Jess’ doctoral research (‘To what extent is the body authoritative in Christian ethics?’, supervised by Professor Joshua Hordern) explores the contention that human embodiment can communicate something of what it means to be human and how we should act. Jess’ research particularly focuses on how we might listen to and learn from those who are unable to speak or act autonomously – in particular, those in the latter stages of dementia.
Prior to her doctoral work Jess completed degrees in theology, philosophy, and Christian ethics, and her research interests include the intersection of these disciplines: in particular 20th Century phenomenology, theological anthropology, theological perspectives on disability, and bioethics. Jess is a researcher with the TORCH Knowledge Exchange and McDonald Centre for Theology, Ethics and Public Life; working alongside Professor Joshua Hordern, Edward Chan-Stroud, and the Mind and Soul Foundation to produce theological resources on vicarious trauma for church leaders. She has also been a SCIO Tutor in Christian Moral Reasoning. Jess’ publications include ‘Does Barth’s understanding of sexual difference conflict with his theological anthropology?’ (SJT) and ‘Theological Perspectives on Disability’ (co-author, OUP Handbook to Disability Law, 2025).
Educational Background:
- BA Theology – King’s College, London
- MA Philosophy – King’s College, London
- MPhil Theology (Christian Ethics) – Oxford University
Recent Publications
- ‘Theological Perspectives on Disability’ (co-author, OUP Handbook to Disability Law, 2025).
- ‘Does Barth’s understanding of sexual difference conflict with his theological anthropology?’, Scottish Journal of Theology, 76/1, (2023), 44-55.
Links:
https://mcdonaldcentre.web.ox.ac.uk/people/jess-wyatt
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-wyatt-475034287/
