Dr Tom Dobson is a specialist in institutional heritage and policy analysis, whose work focuses on bridging the gap between academic research and public engagement by transforming ‘hidden’ archives into accessible community assets that are available to, and owned by, everyone. He is also a member of the Methodist Church’s ‘Archives and Records Advisory Group’, and continues to maintain the digital collections of the Gibbs Library. His 2024 PhD (People, Place and Policy. Westminster College and the Development of Methodist Teacher Training) explored the links between Methodism, public policy, and teacher training. It focused heavily on Westminster College, the Methodist teacher training institution which relocated to Oxford in 1959.

The College’s past remains a research area for Tom, along with focusing on ways to increase links between local Methodists and the denomination’s heritage; the use of digital platforms to make it easier to explore this; and new education tools to support work of local churches. He is also currently researching links between Methodism and the impact of ‘place’; its history in wartime; and memorials to conflict found throughout Oxfordshire.

Outside of work, Tom enjoys exploring a number of National Trust properties; volunteers with The Scouts; and is also a Trustee of both the Oxfordshire Record Society and the Epworth Old Rectory Trust. He was appointed a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in 2023, and an Associate Fellow of the Royal Historical Society in 2025.