The School of Graduate Research is committed to excellence in research and engagement with the churches and community in Australia and internationally.
Meet some of our current students and recent graduates and hear about their research journeys and achievements.
Past and Present Students
All articlesStudent Profile: Lachlan Davis
Though Lachlan Davis has dabbled in many fields since beginning his career, he’s discovered that his real talent lies in theology and Hebrew, which he’s studying as part of a PhD at Trinity College’s Theological School.
Dr Barbara Deutschmann
Dr Barbara Deutschmann graduated with a PhD in 2020. Her thesis is a literary study of the female-male pair in the non-P creation narrative (Gen 2:4a–3:24).
“The University of Divinity offered a breadth of Christian tradition that I knew would stretch and challenge me. The interdenominational strength of the university encompassed a wider variety of approaches to Christian formation than the evangelical tradition in which I had come to faith.”
John O’Connor
John O’Connor graduated with a Master of Theology (Research) in 2020. His thesis is an exegesis of Luke’s Parable of the Persistent Widow: Luke 18:1–8 in context.
“In contrast to what some feminist scholars claim, that Luke in his Gospel portrays women in somewhat negative and passive light, especially in lacking leadership and discipleship roles, my research attempts to explain and argue the case for an alternative perspective.”
Rev Dr Richard Wilson
Rev Dr Richard Wilson graduated with a PhD in 2020. His thesis examined the institutional church in Australia’s influence on public policy formation, especially in economics, finance and business.
“I chose the University of Divinity because it specialises in theological research, appropriate to my specialisation in public theology. In particular, I wanted to retain my long association (since 2002) with Trinity College Theological School, which has nurtured my development as a theologian.”
Major Dr David Janssen
Major Dr David Janssen graduated with a PhD in 2020. His thesis examined the way early Christian speech was informed by and reacted to the social environment in which early Jesus followers lived.
“My supervisors as members of the UD were an incredibly attractive drive to study within the university’s research environment. They provided great encouragement and incisive questions about my research.”
Dr Mandy Dujunco
Dr Mandy Dujunco graduated with a Doctor of Theology in 2020. His thesis proposes a framework that will allow Lasallian Schools in the Philippines to provide effective and inculturated faith formation for newly hired teachers.
“I was encouraged by a friend to look at the Doctor of Theology program offered by the University of Divinity back in 2016. I appreciated that the entire university was focused on theology. Its small size was also very attractive to me.”
Dr Francis Otobo
Dr Francis Otobo graduated with a PhD in 2019. His thesis argues that the Holy Spirit in Luke-Acts functions to legitimate the mission to the Gentiles for Jewish followers of Jesus.
“The panel boosted the confidence that my supervisors had built in me. They drew my attention to other areas related to my research that would strengthen my thesis; this added an extra chapter to my research.”
Dr Nixon de Vera
Dr Nixon de Vera graduated with a PhD in 2019. His thesis asks whether or not Karl Barth’s God is a suffering God and,if so, what precisely he means by that.
“I chose the University of Divinity for my research degree due to it’s interdenominational approach to research and exposure to ministry.”