Joanna is the Karl Jaspers Lecturer in Psychology and Spirituality at Ripon College, Cuddesdon and Oxford Diocesan Advisor for Spiritual Care for Older People. She studied experimental psychology and theology at Oxford University, and clinical psychology at the Institute of Psychiatry, University of London. She is a chartered clinical psychologist and specialist neuropsychologist, registered as a practitioner with the Health Professions Council. After many years working in the health service, Joanna moved into the field of psychology of religion and was director of the MA programme in psychology of religion at Heythrop College, University of London until 2010 when she took up her present posts.
Her interests are wide ranging, reflected in publications on cognitive behaviour therapy, brain and behaviour, natural theology, psychological approaches to the Bible, psychological trauma, the spirituality of children and people with special needs, and medical ethics. She is the author of many academic papers and several books including The Dawkins Delusion? (SPCK 2007 with Alister McGrath); Ethical practice in brain injury rehabilitation (OUP 2007); Jesus and the gospel women (2009 SPCK); and The psychology of Christian character formation (2015 SCM). Forthcoming books include an edited volume on neurology and religion (with Alasdair Coles) for CUP.
Joanna is an associate priest in a west Oxfordshire parish and an honorary canon of Christ Church Cathedral.
