Jacob Amacker
Jacob moved to Oxford in 2015 to study and became a follower of Jesus Christ whilst studying his Master’s in Physics. Since then he has pursued church ministry and academic study leading him to enrol at Wycliffe Hall as an independent student. His focus is in Biblical and Islamic studies. He has a passion for writing books and church ministry, particularly with young men, outside of this.
B-Less Placement: The Search, Oxford
Cayla Bleoaja
Cayla came to Oxford in 2020 as a Master’s student and immediately felt at home. She is currently integrating her background in psychology and sociology with theology through her DPhil in Science and Religion. Cayla is a poet, singer-songwriter, long-distance walker, and lover of nature.
B-Less Placement: The Search, Oxford
Joseph Chu
Joseph is currently a DPhil candidate in law, focusing on the participation of developing countries in the creation of transnational commercial law. He holds a Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) from Oxford, a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Arabic and Political Science from New York University Abu Dhabi, a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from the University of Adelaide, and a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the College of Law. Joseph’s interests include fencing, piano, and finding connections between seemingly unrelated ideas. Having lived, studied, and worked all over the world, Joseph is a firm believer in the powerful impact that individual relationships, conversations, and decisions can have in ways beyond our imagination.
B-Less Placement: Cafe 360, Oxford
Chloe Chua
After reading History as an undergraduate at Durham, Chloe is now pursuing a Master’s in the same subject at Oxford. She is particularly interested in modern histories of selfhood and identity construction, with her current thesis exploring expressions of national identity in the writings of early settlers in the Australian colonies. Beyond her academic work, Chloe enjoys experimenting with new baking recipes, indulging in very sweet cups of coffee, and has recently begun attempting clothes-making in her free time!
B-Less Placement: TBC
Duncan McKellar
Duncan first came to Oxford in 2013 to study Philosophy, Politics and Economics as an undergraduate at St Anne’s College. He then spent five years working as an Economics Consultant for PwC and two years as a Ministry Apprentice at an Anglican church in London. Now back in Oxford, Duncan is undertaking a DPhil in Philosophical Theology at Wolfson College, and, when not in the library, enjoys running and discussing the deep things of life in one of Oxford’s many good-old pubs.
B-Less Placement: The Search, Oxford
Tomasen Haley
Tom read Maths and Philosophy for four years at New College, and, after a year working for a church in London, decided he wanted to do more Philosophy and no more Maths, so came back to Oxford to take the BPhil in Philosophy. He likes whisky, running and listening to the same songs again and again.
B-Less Placement: The Search, Oxford
Helen Hambling
Helen moved to Oxford in 2018 to work with undergraduate students, and loved it so much that after 5 years of working with Oxford students, she decided to become one! She is now continuing her studies with an MPhil in Old Testament at Wycliffe Hall alongside training for Anglican ordination. She’s passionate about how academic theology and gospel ministry can inform each other to build up and bless the local church. When not studying, you’ll either find her training for her latest triathlon challenge, knitting, or enjoying a good cup of coffee!
B-Less Placement: Theology Network, Oxford
Emily Kapuscak
Emily is in the second year of her MPhil in Jewish Studies at Oxford. Her research centres around the intersection of textual communities within the medieval world, exploring the connections between Jewish and Christian authors through both secular and sacred literature. When she’s not looking over manuscripts, she loves spending time with her church community, coming up with new creations in the kitchen, going on long walks, and talking about theology over dinner with friends.
B-Less Placement: Theology Network, Oxford
Matthew King
Matthew is a DPhil student at Jesus College studying Physics. His research centres on the use of machine learning for the optimal control of quantum systems – though most of his time is just spent trying to repair electronics in the lab. Outside of his studies Matthew is engaged with St Ebbe’s Church, leading and attending student Bible studies. He has a particular interest in thinking about the intersection between Christianity and Physics.
B-Less Placement: Focus @ St Ebbe’s Church and Jesus College CU, Oxford
Sebastian Pearson
Sebastian is in the process of wrapping up his DPhil in Engineering Science on push scooters! The research aims to understand the forces applied to scooters when riders land stunts on them. Seb takes a great interest in philosophy (especially philosophy of religion); he is a co-founder and former president of the Oxford Socratic Society, which he is still actively involved with.
B-Less Placement: Socratic Society, Oxford
Samantha O’Sullivan
Sam is a DPhil candidate in Theoretical Physics at Magdalen College. Her research uses algorithmic information theory to understand the evolution of biological systems. In 2022 Sam earned her bachelor’s degree in Physics and African American Studies at Harvard University, along with a Rhodes Scholarship to hop across the pond! Sam is an active member of St. Aldates’s Church, where she helps host the Alpha course. Sam is passionate about encouraging synchronous Christian faith and rigorous science. She also teaches undergraduate physics through SCIO (Scholarship & Christianity In Oxford) and at Lincoln College. In her free time, Sam enjoys long prayer walks in South Park with her miniature goldendoodle dog, Nala!
B-Less Placement: Maths, Physics, Engineering, Computing (MPEC) Network, Oxford
Ning Xu
Ning first came to Oxford as a Master’s student pursuing theology in 2022, before undertaking a PhD in Science and Religion. Her research interest is driven by the question of knowing God both historically and relationally, and focuses on the intersection of second-person relatedness and social cognition. In her spare time, Ning enjoys participating in student ministry, hiking in nature and cycling around Oxford.
B-Less Placement: The Search, Oxford
Andy Hood
Andy moved to Durham in 2023 to begin the BA in Theology and Religion while preparing for ordained ministry in the Church of England. He is in the first year of a PhD in Patristics (looking at Augustine’s Christology) and is still looking to get ordained, just slightly later than originally planned! Before coming to Durham, Andy worked with children and young people as part of a church in central London, and he’s now a committed member of St Nic’s Church in Durham. When not in the St John’s College library, he enjoys exploring the beautiful North East with his wife and 3 young children, cooking and playing 5-a-side football with other dads.
B-Less Placement: Theology Network, Durham
Toby Lucas
Toby is undertaking a PhD in English Literature at Durham University, where he also completed his undergraduate and master’s studies. He’s fascinated by how world events shape literature, and how literature shapes how we see the world in turn. He’s excited to keep these conversations going with B-Less! If he’s not in his books, he’ll be learning a new recipe or exploring the beautiful North East with his wife Eleanor.
B-Less Placement: Humanities Network, Durham
Della Vaughan
Della is studying for a MA in International Cultural Heritage Management at St. John’s College, Durham University. She moved to Durham from the United States where she did her Bachelor’s in History at Stetson University. Della is hoping to integrate her study and love of history with a care for the management and protection of important historical and heritage sites through her MA. While not studying, she is most likely in her church or CU community having fun and growing together in friendship, fellowship, and knowledge of the Lord.
B-Less Placement: Theology Network, Durham
Sam McQuaker
Sam first studied theology at Peterhouse, Cambridge, where he was involved in CICCU as External Vice-President and in Theology Network. After a year away, he has returned for an MPhil in Theology, hoping to explore how the evangelical church can contribute to wider cultural conversations around social issues. His interest in this area began during his undergraduate years, when he co-founded a student group raising awareness of global and local sexual exploitation, and grew post-graduation when he worked with Naked Truth, helping students think critically about the impact of pornography. Outside of study, he enjoys good coffee, time on the river, and the short season each year when mince pies are back on the shelves.
B-Less Placement: Theology Network, Cambridge