The University of Kent and Canterbury Cathedral are delighted to announce Revd Dr Jonathan Arnold as the new Michael Ramsey Chair.
Established in 1991, The Michael Ramsey Chair is a key point of contact between the University of Kent and Canterbury Cathedral in the development and delivery of major projects and programmes in culture and the arts.
Revd Dr Jonathan Arnold is Executive Director of the Social Justice Network, Canterbury Diocese. Formerly he was Dean of Divinity and Fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford and Chaplain of Worcester College, Oxford.
He is a professional singer, working with ensembles such as The Sixteen, Gabrieli Consort and ORA, and author whose publications include Sacred Music in Secular Society (2014); Music and Faith (2019); The Everyday God (2024). His next book, The Sound of Justice, will be published later this year.
His work has, for many years, been centred on the relationship between faith, the arts and social justice, as both an established theologian, author, and international performer with some of the world’s greatest ensembles. As an academic, musician and social campaigner, he brings a track record of collaborative leadership in multidisciplinary teams in university, charity and ecclesiastical settings.
Revd Dr Arnold says:
‘I am thrilled and honoured to have been appointed to the role of Professor of Faith, Culture, and the Arts. This is a hugely exciting time to be building a strong partnership between the Institute of Cultural and Creative Industries (iCCi) at the University and Canterbury Cathedral. I hope to bring a fresh creativity and vision to the post and to draw upon the skills of a wide range of contacts from academic institutions, cathedrals, social justice charities, the Anglican Communion and the music world. I relish the opportunity to bring together stakeholders to collaborate with, promote and develop the outreach and partnership of the iCCi and the cathedral in this fabulous opportunity.’
With both institutions committed to having a positive impact in the city and across the region, Revd Dr Arnold will have an important role in bringing their aspirations together and inspiring new partnership projects.
The position was created in memory of Michael Ramsey (1904–1988), who was the 100th Archbishop of Canterbury (1961-1974) and previously Regius Professor of Divinity at the University of Cambridge. Revd Dr Arnold will be based in the University of Kent’s Institute of Cultural and Creative Industries (ICCI).