CRES Steering Group
Dr Martin J Hodson is a plant scientist and environmental biologist, and a former Principal Lecturer, and now Visiting Researcher at Oxford Brookes University. He is also an Associate Member of the Institute of Human Sciences at the University of Oxford. Martin is the Principal Tutor of Christian Rural and Environmental Studies (CRES). The tour scientist for the Hope for Planet Earth tours, he writes and speaks widely on environmental issues. Martin has over 100 publications, mostly in international science journals. His books are Cherishing the Earth (with Margot Hodson, 2008), Functional Biology of Plants (with John Bryant, 2012), The Ethics of Climatic Scepticism (with Margot Hodson, 2015), A Christian Guide to Environmental Issues (with Margot Hodson, 2015, 2nd ed. 2021), An Introduction to Environmental Ethics (with Margot Hodson, 2017), E 198 COVID-19: Environment, Justice and the Future (with Ruth Valerio, Margot Hodson & Timothy Howles, 2020), Green Reflections: Biblical inspiration for sustainable living (with Margot Hodson, 2021) and The Ethics of Environmental Management: Does Stewardship Lead Us Down a Blind Alley? (with Margot Hodson, 2024). (Principal Tutor)
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Rev. Philip Wagstaff is a Presbyter Minister in the Methodist Church who has worked in five Rural Circuits, in Norfolk, NE Essex, Devon and Somerset and is now stationed at Hastings as Superintendent Minister in the Hastings, Bexhill and Rye Circuit. He was Rural Officer for the Plymouth and Exeter Methodist District, was a member of the Devon Churches Rural Forum and while in Devon a member of the Devon Churches Green Action. Over 30 years of rural ministry has brought a working interest in rural development and local environmental projects. (Senior Tutor)
Prof Elizabeth Rushton is Professor in Education and Head of the Education Division, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Stirling, where she teaches on a range of Postgraduate taught programmes and supervises doctoral and post-doctoral research. (Senior Tutor)
Simon Brown is both a former CRES student, and CRES tutor. He is a volunteer at ZSL London Zoo, and with A Rocha UK, for whom he was the Speakers Coordinator. He is the A Rocha UK representative on CRES and is Chair of the CRES Steering Group.
Rev. Margot Hodson is a Vicar in the Oxford Diocese and is Theology and Education Director for the John Ray Initiative. She is Tutor in Environmental Theology and Rural Mission and Ministry at Ripon College Cuddesdon. Margot has published widely on Christianity and the environment often, but not exclusively, with her husband, Martin.
Dr Sue Robbins spent 24 years at Oxford Brookes University teaching Biochemistry. During the latter part of that time, she revamped the personal tutoring system for her Academic School, making it pro-active in building relationships between tutors and tutees. Her experience there makes her ideal to take on the role of CRES Pastor. For more details about Sue go HERE.
David Gould has a degree in Environmental Science from London University, and after qualifying as a Chartered Architect, he worked in Bristol, mainly on healthcare projects. In 2002, he and his wife joined the church-planting mission OMF International and moved to Singapore. David oversaw a number of building projects in East Asia and went on to develop OMF’s approach to creation care integral mission. After returning to the UK David joined the CRES team as a local tutor; he has written two of the modules and in 2021 joined the Steering Group. Having grown up abroad and lived in Asia for 12 years, David has a particular interest in promoting and supporting the global aspects of the work of CRES.
CRES Deputy Senior Tutors:
Dr Rachel Bathurst, Revd Prof Ilona Cheyne, Dr Cherryl Hunt, Liz Pichon
CRES Administration
Lynda McKeown is a former primary school and music teacher. She enjoys walking and creative crafts. (CRES Administrator)