Etchells Fellows 2026

Rachel Goodman

Rachel Goodman is a poet, portrait painter and former actor-presenter whose creative practice spans theatre, broadcasting and the visual arts. After studying English Literature at Durham University (Trevelyan College) and completing an MA in Poetry with Distinction at the University of East Anglia, she has developed a vibrant career in the arts rooted in Norfolk, where she now lives.

Her work has appeared in many journals including Magma, Aesthetica, Under the Radar, Salzburg Review, Finished Creatures, The Alchemy Spoon, and Ink Sweat & Tears, and she has twice been shortlisted for the Bridport Prize. Her first collection, Knee to Knee (with Elvire Roberts), was published by Dialect Press in 2024 and is currently touring literary festivals across the UK.

A former BBC presenter and theatre practitioner, Rachel brings a cross-disciplinary perspective to her writing and mentoring. She is active in Norfolk’s creative community, contributing to local choirs, the Five Churches Festival, and a forthcoming choral commission for the King’s Lynn Festival’s 75th anniversary. Her work explores themes of loss, embodiment, and faith, seeking connection and renewal through shared creative expression.

During her Etchells Fellowship at St John’s, Rachel will work on Where my body used to play is air, a poetry collection exploring the embodied experience of loss and the search for spiritual and emotional equilibrium through change, while engaging the St John’s community in collaborative workshops and creative reflection.

Our Fellows

Michael Bird

Honorary Fellow

Michael Bird was a Director and Managing Director at the Johnson Service group from 1960 until 1994, before becoming Chief Executive of the North East Chamber of Commerce from 1994 to 2002. From 2004 to 2011 he chaired the Audit Committee of Durham University Council, and was the Trustee Pension Fun

David Day

Honorary Fellow

After teaching for 15 years in secondary schools, David Day moved into higher education, holding appointments both in Theology and Religious Education. For eighteen years he held the post of Senior Lecturer in the School of Education, Durham University and for seven years was Principal of St John’

Rt Revd James Newcome

Honorary Fellow

James Newcome read history at Trinity College, Oxford. After a year spent driving an ambulance in Hertfordshire he trained for ordination at Ridley Hall, Cambridge. A curacy in Watford was followed by a return to Cambridge as tutor in the Cambridge Federation and minister of an Ecumenical Project in

Very Revd Dr Philip Plyming

Honorary Fellow

Philip Plyming is Dean of Durham and leads the life and mission of Durham Cathedral. After attending a local comprehensive school in Sussex, Philip studied German and Russian at Cambridge University followed by Theology at Durham University while training for ministry at Cranmer Hall from 1998-200

Rt Revd John Pritchard

Honorary Fellow

Born in Salford, John Pritchard read jurisprudence at St Peter’s College, Oxford, graduating with a BA degree in 1970, before studying Theology for two years at three years at Oxford and Ridley Hall, Cambridge. He took an MLitt in Practical Theology at Durham. He was ordained in the Church of

Sir Nigel Sherlock

Honorary Fellows

Sir Nigel Sherlock joined the St John’s College Council in 1984, where he played an active part in raising funds for the Leech Hall. His professional career was centred around Investment Management, but he also sought in a number of ways to contribute to improving the well-being of those living in

Professor Peter Shaw

Honorary Fellows

Peter is a founding partner of Praesta Partners, a specialist coaching organisation. Formerly a Director General in the UK Government, he has coached senior leaders and teams across six continents in the private, public and voluntary sectors. He has written 27 books on aspects of leadership. Some ha

Rt Revd Mark Tanner

Honorary Fellows

The Rt Revd Dr Mark Tanner is the Bishop of Chester, Chair of the Church of England’s Ministry Development Board, and member of the Archbishops’ Council. He has previously served as Bishop of Berwick in the Diocese of Newcastle, Warden of Cranmer Hall and one of the Vice-Principals of St

Dr Florence O’ Taylor

William Leech Fellow

Thinking with the Church at the Margins initiative within Methodism, Florence’s project aims to reflect theologically on ‘Recovery Church’, a community of people living with addictions that gather for services that incorporate elements of the 12-Step programme. This research builds on her

Dr Ruth Perrin

William Leech Fellow

Dr Ruth Perrin is undertaking a follow up project to the Leech sponsored ‘Changing Shape; the Faith Lives of Millennials’ which explored the Christian faith of those born between 1981-1996 as they passed through their twenties. Her current project, entitled ‘Friendship, Faith and