David Wilkinson

David Adam Wilkinson, FRAS (born 16 May 1963) is a British Methodist minister, theologian, astrophysicist and academic. He was the Principal of St John's College, Durham (2006–2023), and is a professor in the Department of Theology and Religion at Durham University. He remains at St John's College, having been appointed, in September 2023, Director of Equipping Christian Leadership in an Age of Science (ECLAS), an international project based at St John’s College. He is the author of several books on the relationship between science and religion, and a regular contributor to Thought for the Day on BBC Radio 4. He has a PhD in astrophysics and is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society.

Early life and education Wilkinson was born on 16 May 1963. An undergraduate at Grey College, Durham, he studied at the University of Durham, graduating with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in 1984. He remained at Durham to undertake a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in theoretical astrophysics. His PhD was awarded in 1987: his doctoral thesis was titled "Molecular hydrogen in galaxies" and related to the study of star formation.

After completing his science doctorate, Wilkinson changed direction. He graduated from the University of Cambridge with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1989: as per tradition, his BA was promoted to a Master of Arts (MA Cantab) degree.

Career After ordination, he was a Methodist minister in Letchworth from 1990 to 1991. In December 2005, it was announced that he would be returning to St John's College, having been appointed its next principal in succession to Professor Stephen Sykes. He had to be given permission by the Methodist Church for the appointment due to the college's Anglican foundation: St John's college is both a college of Durham University and an evangelical Anglican theological college. He has been a council member of the Evangelical Alliance.

Personal life In 1992, Wilkinson married Alison. She is also a Methodist minister. Together they have one son and one daughter.

Selected bibliography Books

Articles