Tel: 424833/424820
E-mail: tgibson@stets.ac.uk

Brief Biography

I was born and raised in East Sussex. After too much rugby and squash at school, I wound up missing a place to read English at university and signing up to a theology course instead… and the rest is history! I studied for a BA (Hons), MA and PhD at Exeter University, and worked in the department of Theology there as a lecturer during my research. I also held teaching positions at Richard Huish College in Taunton and King’s College, London, and joined the STETS staff in 2005. I have worked as a freelance journalist for a number of years, writing for publications as diverse as Kit Car Magazine, Official PlayStation 2, Vintage Spirit, The Independent and The Western Morning News, as well as producing copy for commercial clients such as food manufacturers and restaurants.. I live in Somerset with my wife, Sarah, and our Golden Retriever, Sam (a regular visitor to College!).

Teaching & Research

My teaching specialism is ethics, and I am passionate about encouraging Christians to think about the distinctive ways in which we make moral decisions. I also teach a bit of doctrine at STETS, and I have particular responsibility for the academic programmes that we run – BA, MA and TQQ. My doctoral research focused on method in Christian ethics, with particular reference to the Church of England’s debate about homosexuality. The methodological issues raised in the thesis now constitute my primary research interest – I am interested in how the moral judgments people make in real life situations relate to the ethical theories that underpin moral philosophy. I also have a keen interest in rural theology (see publications), and the role of media communication in contemporary church life.

Publications

Books

Church and Countryside: Insights from Rural Theology, London: SCM Press Ltd, forthcoming (February 2010);

[With Prof. Clemens Sedmak] Christian Ethics: A Guide for the Perplexed, Edinburgh: T&T Clark, forthcoming (Summer 2010);

Leisure interests

My greatest love is being out in the fresh air – I’m at my happiest when dog walking, building a fence, playing with random items of farm machinery or simply leaning on a gate and watching the fields change colour. If I can’t be in the sticks, I’ll make do with the sea, and I enjoy sailing, surfing and ice cream eating anywhere on the South Coast. I love the hills of North Wales and try to get there as often as possible – preferably in the company of my wife, friends & family. Favourite haunts include Rhyd Ddu and Betws-y-Coed – the former for the walking, and the latter for the coffee and endless supply of shops selling fleeces, boots and OS Maps. More sedentary interests include reading, listening to and attempting to make music, watching TV murder mysteries (especially Wallander) and drinking Harvey’s Best Bitter whilst talking about Land Rovers with my brothers.