Associate Professor Robyn Wrigley-Carr appointed Spiritual Care Program Director

The University of Divinity and Whitley College are pleased to announce the appointment of Robyn Wrigley-Carr as Associate Professor in Pastoral and Spiritual Care and Spiritual Care Program Director.

Associate Professor Robyn Wrigley-Carr is an academic expert in Spirituality, Spiritual Care practitioner, and Spiritual Director. A graduate of the University of Sydney, University of London and Regent College, she received her PhD from the University of St Andrews in 2013. She has lectured in spirituality at a range of theological institutions, most recently as Associate Professor of Theology and Spirituality at Alphacrucis University College.

An internationally-recognised researcher, Associate Professor Wrigley-Carr’s current research focusses on spiritual care for people with dementia and spiritual care in the context of aged care. Her publications include two books, one of which was the Archbishop of York’s Advent Book for 2021, and articles in highly-ranked journals including the Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging and Theology Today. She is a member of the Executive Committee for the International Network for the Study of Spirituality and is an Editorial Board member and Book Reviews Editor for the Journal for the Study of Spirituality.

Spiritual care is increasingly recognised by government, industry and professional associations as a growing area of vital need across the Australian community. Through this collaborative appointment, the University and Whitley College aim to develop and renew programs in spiritual and pastoral care to prepare graduates for service in the health, education, community service, defence force and mining sectors, and, in partnership with all of the University’s Colleges, to resource church-based agencies and ministries.

Speaking about her appointment, Associate Professor Wrigley-Carr said:

“I’m delighted to be joining the University of Divinity. I look forward to shaping postgraduate qualifications in Spiritual Care, teaching at Whitley College and researching in this vital and growing field. I’m very excited that the University of Divinity recognises the necessity for a Spiritual Care Program as a new collaborative initiative under its Strategic Plan.”

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Peter Sherlock, said:

“Australian society is in urgent need of spiritual care in a wide variety of settings, whether in hospitals or aged care facilities, urban or remote communities, and workplaces such as the defence forces or mining sector. I am excited to see how Associate Professor Wrigley-Carr will coordinate the rich resources at the University and its Colleges to partner with the spiritual care sector, employers, and our students to meet this need in new and vibrant ways.”

The Principal of Whitley College, Professor René Erwich, said:
“Whitley College is delighted to welcome Associate Professor Robyn Wrigley-Carr as lecturer in Pastoral and Spiritual Care and looks forward to a wonderful collaboration, both in teaching and research regarding this important theme, as well as in developing rich relationships with stakeholders together with the University of Divinity in the joint project.”

Robyn commences her new role at Whitley College and the University of Divinity in February 2023.