Historic First: King Approves Oxford’s First Female Dean
The King has given the green light for Rev Canon Professor Sarah Foot to become Dean of Christ Church, Oxford. This marks the first time a woman has been appointed to the prestigious role in nearly 500 years of the college’s history.
Meet Professor Foot: Scholar, Priest, Trailblazer
Professor Foot is no ordinary academic. She’s the Regius Professor of Ecclesiastical History at Oxford and a Residentiary Canon at Christ Church Cathedral. Her expertise? Women in religion, medieval monasticism, and the early English Church. Currently, she’s diving into the life and work of the Venerable Bede.
Dean Designate Vows to Drive Change
“It is an honour to have been appointed to this role and to work alongside the Governing Body to serve the students, academics, staff, Chapter and congregation of Christ Church,” Professor Foot said.
She’s keen to push Christ Church forward as it nears its 500th anniversary, saying: “Together, we must make a success of the Governance Review process and see through changes that will be necessary when it’s complete. This work is vital. It will give our colleagues the structures that they need to do what matters most to all of us: offering teaching and research, and a Cathedral liturgy, of the highest quality.”
Governance Shake-Up Underway
A review of Christ Church’s governance, led by Dominic Grieve KC, is currently underway. Any changes will require approval from Oxford University, the Church of England, the Privy Council, and Parliament – a lengthy process, no doubt.
Professor Foot plans to step down once the overhaul is complete, paving the way for fresh leadership under new statutes.
Support from the Church’s Top Brass
Steven Croft, Bishop of Oxford, praised the appointment:
“Sarah combines a distinguished career as an historian, a deep personal faith and reservoirs of wisdom from her experience of leadership of Christ Church in recent months. I look forward very much to working in partnership with Sarah in the coming years in the implementation of the governance review and as a member of the Bishop’s senior leadership team across the Diocese of Oxford.”
From Acting Head to Dean This Summer
Since 2021, Professor Foot has served as Censor Theologiae at Christ Church, stepping up as Acting Head of House after the deanship fell vacant. She officially takes the reins as Dean in July 2023.
This appointment marks a historic breakthrough for Christ Church and Oxford University alike.
