Core Team
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Chine McDonald
Director
@ChineMcDonaldChine is Director of Theos. She was previously Head of Community Fundraising and Public Engagement at Christian Aid. She has 16 years’ experience in journalism, media and communications across faith, media and international development organisations. She is the author of ‘God is not a white man: and other revelations’ (Hodder & Stoughton, May 2021). Chine regularly contributes to programme slots such as the BBC’s Thought for the Day on Radio 4’s Today programme, Prayer for the Day and The Daily Service. She is vice–chair of Greenbelt Festival and a trustee of Christians in Media. Chine studied Theology and Religious Studies at Cambridge University.
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Nick Spencer
Senior Fellow
nick.spencer@theosthinktank.co.uk @TheosNickNick is Senior Fellow at Theos. He is the author of a number of books and reports, most recently, ‘The Landscapes of Science and Religion’ (OUP, 2025), ‘Playing God: Science, Religion and the Future of Humanity’ (2024), and ‘Magisteria: the entangled histories of science and religion’ (Oneworld, 2023). His next book, on ‘Christianity and the Future of Welfare’ is due out with Cambridge University Press in 2026. Nick is host of the Theos podcast Reading Our Times, and outside Theos he is Honorary Professor at the World Religions and Education Research Unit, Bishop Grosseteste University; Visiting Research Fellow at St John’s College, Durham; Visiting Fellow at the Faiths and Civil Society Unit, Goldsmiths, University College, London; and Fellow of the International Society of Science and Religion. He tweets infrequently @theosnick
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Lizzie Harvey
Head of Content and Communications
lizzie.harvey@theosthinktank.co.uk @theoslizzieLizzie is Head of Communications at Theos. She has a BA in Politics from Durham University and a background in communications with over 10 years’ experience developing content and strategic communications projects for brands, government clients and not–for–profits. Lizzie spent a couple of years in Australia establishing the Sydney branch of a social change focused communications agency, and has a particular interest in the power of human stories in shaping our foundational beliefs and culture.
To contact Lizzie for out–of–hours media matters, call 07778160052.
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Rob Barward–Symmons
Head of Research (Maternity Cover)
rob.barward-symmons@biblesociety.org.ukRob is Head of Research at Theos. He holds a BA in Christian Theology from Durham University and a PhD in Sociology and Anthropology of Religion from the University of Kent. His doctoral work focused on faith formation among adolescent evangelicals, and a monograph based on this work is due for publication in 2026. He is also Co–Director of the Centre for the Study of Modern Christianity at St John’s College, Durham, and Senior Research and Impact Manager at Bible Society. His published reports include ‘New Churches in the North East’ (Durham University: 2015, with David Goodhew); ‘Mourning Elizabeth: Christianity and the Bible in the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II’ (Bible Society: 2023, with Rhiannon McAleer) and The Quiet Revival (Bible Society: 2025 with Rhiannon McAleer).
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Madeleine Pennington
Head of Research
madeleine.pennington@theosthinktank.co.ukMadeleine is Head of Research at Theos. She holds a doctorate in theology from the University of Oxford, and previously worked as a research scholar at a retreat and education centre in Philadelphia. She is the author of ’The Christian Quaker: George Keith and the Keithian Controversy’ (Brill: 2019), ‘Quakers, Christ and the Enlightenment’ (OUP, 2021), and various Theos reports.
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Elizabeth Oldfield
Head of The Sacred
@ESOldfieldElizabeth is host of The Sacred podcast. She was Theos’ Director from August 2011 – July 2021. She appears regularly in the media, including BBC One, Sky News, the World Service, and writing in The Financial Times. She is a regular conference speaker and chair. Before joining Theos in August 2011, Elizabeth worked for BBC TV and radio. She has an MA in Theology from King’s College London.
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Nathan Mladin
Senior Researcher
nathan.mladin@theosthinktank.co.uk @nathanmladinNathan joined Theos in 2016. He holds a PhD in Systematic Theology from Queen’s University Belfast and is the author of several publications, including the Theos reports Data and Dignity: Why Privacy Matters in the Digital Age, Religious London: Faith in a Global City (with Paul Bickley), and ‘Forgive Us Our Debts’: lending and borrowing as if relationships matter (with Barbara Ridpath). He is also co–author of ‘The Question of Surveillance Capitalism’(with Stephen N Williams), a chapter in The Robot Will See You Now: Artificial Intelligence and the Christian Faith, eds. John Wyatt and Stephen N Williams (London: SPCK, 2021). Nathan is also a visiting lecturer at St Mellitus College, London. His research, speaking and writing focus on technology ethics, AI, and theology of culture.
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Hannah Rich
Senior Researcher
hannah.rich@theosthinktank.co.uk @hannahmerichHannah joined Theos in November 2017. She is a mixed–methods researcher and author of several Theos reports including Growing Good (2020) and Beyond Left and Right (2021) and A Torn Safety Net (2022). Previously, she worked for a social innovation think tank, a learning disability charity and as a care worker. Hannah studied French and Spanish at Durham University, including a year abroad working with faith–based organisations in Paris and Madrid. She also holds an MSc in Inequalities and Social Science from LSE.
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Marianne Rozario
Senior Researcher and Projects Lead
marianne.rozario@theosthinktank.co.ukMarianne joined Theos in February 2022 and is the author of several Theos reports including Creating a Neighbourhood Health Service (2025), Moving on Project: Wraparound Survivor Support (2025), and co–author of Ashes to Ashes (2023). She holds a PhD in International Relations exploring the notion of Catholic agency in international society through the University of Notre Dame Australia, as well as a MA(Hons) in International Relations from the University of St Andrews. She is an Honorary Researcher for the Benedict XVI Centre for Religion and Society, and a former Lecturer for St Mary’s University.
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George Lapshynov
Researcher
george.lapshynov@theosthinktank.co.uk @GLapshynovGeorge is a Researcher at Theos. He previously joined as Intern in January 2023. He holds an MRes in International Relations as well as an MA(Hons) in History and Politics from the University of Glasgow. Outside of Theos, George is preparing for a doctorate in political theory on the place of wisdom in democracy. He also conducts research in the field of diaspora studies. He is the author of several publications, including the Theos report “Volunteering After the Pandemic: Lessons from the Homelessness Sector” (with Hannah Rich).
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Esmé Partridge
Researcher
esme.partridge@theosthinktank.co.uk @EsmeLKPartridgeEsmé is a Researcher at Theos. She joined in November 2025 having previously worked in Parliament and for think tanks, authoring the report ‘Restoring the Value of Parishes: The Foundations of Welfare, Community and Spiritual Belonging in England’ (Civitas, 2024) among other publications. Esmé holds an MPhil in the Philosophy of Religion from the University of Cambridge and a BA in the Study of Religions from SOAS, University of London. She is also a Civic Future Fellow.
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Joe Downy
Marketing & Communications Manager
joe.downy@theosthinktank.co.ukJoe joined Theos in July 2025. He holds an MA in Conflict, Security & Development from the University of Sussex exploring Middle East politics. He has a communications background and over 10 years’ experience in digital content management working for think–tanks, international development charities, human rights groups and the private sector. Prior to joining Theos he worked for the counter extremism think–tank Institute for Strategic Dialogue.
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Emily Ikoshi
Creative Content Designer & Animator
emily.ikoshi@theosthinktank.co.ukEmily joined Theos in July 2019. She graduated with a MA in Documentary Animation from the Royal College of Art and achieved her BA in Illustration Animation at Kingston University. Alongside working as Creative Content Designer & Animator at Theos, she works independently as an animation director, specialising in documentary short film. Emily has a passion for visual communication; expanding research through visual metaphor and engaging design.
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Miriam McCulloch
Fundraising & Supporter Relations Officer
miriam.mcculloch@theosthinktank.co.ukMiriam joined Theos in January 2025 as Fundraising and Supporter Relations lead. She has a BA from the University of Loughborough and has worked in the charity sector for many years supporting young people to find careers and opportunities to enhance their future. Miriam loves meeting and getting to know people so is well placed to support our friends and supporters at Theos. Outside of Theos, Miriam works for a Christian charity in her local community as the food bank and community café fundraiser and operational lead.
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Amari Yogendran
Assistant Marketing Officer of The Sacred Podcast
amari@theosthinktank.co.ukAmari is the Assistant Marketing Officer at The Sacred Podcast. She has a BA in English and Creative Writing from University of Birmingham. Amari is fascinated by the potential for the arts to influence stories that we are living in and outside of Theos, she works as a freelance photographer, writer and is studying to be a counsellor.
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Rosie Bromiley
Communications Officer
rosie.bromiley@theosthinktank.co.ukRosie joined Theos in June 2024 as Research and Communications intern and became Communications Officer in August 2025. She holds a BA in Theology & Religion from Durham University specialising in Christian ethics. Rosie has previous experience working for youth and mental health charities.
Associate Fellows
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Barbara Ridpath
Associate Fellow
In recent years, Barbara Ridpath has combined her education in economics and work in finance and regulation with her interest in theology and ethics. She served as Director of St Paul’s Institute at St Pauls Cathedral from 2014–18, and then as a member and subsequently Chair of the Ethical Investment Advisory Group of the Church of England. She is the co–author of two Theos publications and also serves as a non–executive director of two financial organisations, and on the International Advisory Board of the Institute for Business Ethics.