Membership
Note: you do not need to be a Faculty member in order to access the Bodleian Libraries.
The Bodleian Libraries welcomes applications from both academically-affiliated as well as independent individuals who are conducting academic, professional or private research. You can find more information about how to apply for a Bodleian Reader Card here.
There are four routes to membership of the Faculty of Theology and Religion which are governed by Statute VII and reflect the four types of membership provided for in section 7 of Statute VII.
Faculty postholder
Description of this category of membership
Application and approval process
All those appointed to permanent academic Faculty posts will be made a member of the Faculty automatically.
Nature of membership
Under this category, members of the Faculty will qualify for membership of Congregation and will have the right to vote in faculty board elections and to serve on the Faculty Board under the provisions of Council Regulation 19 of 2002.
Section 7(1) of Statute VII sets out the statutory basis and requirements for this category of membership.
Term of membership
Membership will be ongoing for the duration of the post.
College postholder
Description of this category of membership
This category of membership is open to the holders of college posts, the duties of which include research or teaching. The Faculty may choose to consider some applicants from the permanent private halls within this category.
Application and approval process
The head of the college / permanent private hall should write to the Chair of the Faculty Board recommending the individual for membership of the Faculty.
Nature of membership
Under this category, members of the Faculty will qualify for membership of Congregation and will have the right to vote in faculty board elections and to serve on Faculty Board under the provisions of Council Regulation 19 of 2002.
Section 7(2) of Statute VII sets out the statutory basis and requirements for this category of membership.
Term of membership
Membership will be ongoing for the duration of the post.
Additional member
Description of this category of membership
This category of membership may be offered to individuals on account of “the work being done by them in Oxford” in “areas with which the Board is concerned”. Members within this category will be actively engaged in the life of the Faculty. This category of membership shall only be open to college postholders whose duties do not include teaching or research if they are able to demonstrate a significant contribution to the Faculty through teaching or supervision, research, and governance.
Application and approval process
Applicants wishing to be considered for this category of membership should provide a CV and cover letter to general.administrator@theology.ox.ac.uk. Applicants should also arrange for a reference from a Faculty member to be sent to the same email address. Membership Committee will review the academic merit of applications and any information provided about the applicant’s engagement in the life of the Faculty and make a recommendation to the Faculty Board.
Nature of membership
Individuals who have membership of the Faculty under this category will not qualify for membership of Congregation, but will have the right to vote in faculty board elections and to serve on Faculty Board under the provisions of Council Regulation 19 of 2002.
Section 7(3) of Statute VII sets out the statutory basis and requirements for this category of membership.
Term of membership
The Board will review discretionary members each term and may query the membership of any individual within this category. The Board reserves the right to bring to an end the membership of any individual within this category if, in its judgement, the requirements for membership are no longer being met. If the Board wishes to bring to an end the membership of a discretionary member, that member must be notified in writing about the decision and its reasons.
Associate member
Description of this category of membership
This category of membership may be offered to individuals on account of “the work being done by them in Oxford” in “areas with which the Board is concerned”. Applicants must be able to demonstrate significant service to the Faculty through teaching or supervision, research, and governance. Being an independent researcher based in Oxford is not sufficient grounds on which to qualify for associate membership.
Application and approval process
Applicants wishing to be considered for this category of membership should provide a CV and cover letter to general.administrator@theology.ox.ac.uk. Applicants should also arrange for a reference from a Faculty member to be sent to the same email address. Membership Committee will review the applications and make a recommendation to the Faculty Board.
Nature of membership
Individuals who have membership of the Faculty under this category will not qualify for membership of Congregation, and will not have the right to vote in faculty board elections or to serve on Faculty Board.
Footnote 1 to Statute VII sets out the statutory basis and requirements for this category of membership.
Term of membership
The Board will review associate members each term and may query the membership of any individual within this category. The Board reserves the right to bring to an end the membership of any individual within this category if, in its judgement, the requirements for membership are no longer being met. If the Board wishes to bring to an end the membership of an associate member, that member must be notified in writing about the decision and its reasons.
Note
1. Applicants from Ripon College Cuddesdon will normally be eligible for associate membership.
