Our Team

Revd Dr John McNeil Scott

Principal

The Revd Dr John McNeil Scott is Principal of the Scottish College. He has served in church ministry for over 25 years, with experience of both congregational life and higher education chaplaincy. John has also worked in university teaching and legal practice.

John studied philosophy and politics in Dublin, divinity at Aberdeen, and law in Manchester and at SOAS (University of London). He holds qualifications in Irish and Mandarin Chinese from the Ulster University and National Taiwan University, respectively. John served as Senior Chaplain to the University of London for many years. He has undertaken postgraduate research in Taiwanese Contextual Theologies and completed doctoral studies in Chicago.

John's academic interests are in theologies of politics and culture across a number of contexts including Ireland, Taiwan and Scotland and in homiletics. Other academic concerns include the application of technology to learning in ministerial formation and leadership development, in systems apporaches to congregational studies and in pastoral supervision. He is a Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society and a member of the European Association of Taiwan Studies and the Academy of Homiletics.

Revd Dr Jack Dyce

Emeritus Research Professor

The Revd Dr Jack Dyce was Principal of the Scottish College for 18 years, retiring in 2017. His involvement continues in a new role as Emeritus Research Professor of Nordic Theology. In this way, the College benefits from Jack's broad experience in Northern studies, including Nordic theology, Danish educational and church life, Scandinavian societies, nationhood and Nordic cooperation, the wider Northern region, the appropriation of Viking heritage, and Nordic Noir crime fiction. As an educationalist, he has an extensive academic, professional and research background in education theory and practice, adult learning and education management.

Prof R Scott Spurlock

Tutor

Prof R Scott Spurlock, Professor of Scottish and Early Modern Christianities, is a Tutor with the College. Scott has been involved in ministerial education for many years. A church historian by training, he is currently head of discipline for Theology and Religious Studies at the University of Glasgow. Scott is currently working on projects relating to Scottish religious cultures, in particular the Reformation in Scotland and traditions developing out of its upheaval including Catholic, Episcopalian, Presbyterian, Dissenting and Quaker; the experience of lay Catholics in early modern Scotland; the role of Reformed theology in shaping early modern cultures; and, the comparative development of Reformed communities in the early modern Atlantic.

Revd Susan Kirkbride

Ministerial Support

Revd Susan Kirkbride provides ministerial support for students, if needed. A member of the College Management Committee and minister of the Peedie Kirk in Orkney, Susan has extensive experience both as a minister, and in higher education She has an interest in dementia and has regularly led sessions for Faith in Older People.  Susan is our Safeguarding Officer with whom any issues can be raised.

Jackie Kyle

Finance Officer

Jackie Kyle is our Finance Officer. Jackie handles financial and compliance issues for the College. She brings many years of experience - and a notorious eye for detail - to her work. Without her fees, salaries and expenses would not get paid and the work of the College would quickly grind to a halt.