Professor Helen King

Helen King is an elected lay member of the Church of England General Synod for Oxford Diocese which appointed her to the Council of Westcott House. She is a mostly-retired Professor of Classical Studies at The Open University, having previously worked in higher education in Cambridge, Liverpool, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Reading, as well as in visiting roles in Europe and the USA. She has published on aspects of gynaecology and obstetrics from classical Greece to the nineteenth century and in 2024 published Immaculate Forms, a history of women’s bodies, with Profile Books.

She continues to work with the OU on quality review, and is also a Bishop’s Reviewer for theological education. At her home church she is an authorised lay preacher, server and intercessor, as well as a Street Pastor, and a Chapel Homilist at Corpus Christi College. She was an Oxford Diocese participant in the Regional Shared Conversations and then was asked to join the national team preparing Living in Love and Faith, working with the History sub-group. She is a trustee of Women and the Church and Chair of Together on General Synod, as well as editing the Via Media News blog.