Dr Mohammed Girma to Become OCMS Academic Dean in December 2026
OXFORD, UK – 5 November 2026 – The Oxford Centre for Mission Studies (OCMS) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Mohammed Girma as its new Academic Dean, from December 2026. Founded more than 40 years ago by Christian leaders from Africa, Asia and Latin America, OCMS provides advanced missiological education and research in diverse global contexts.
Girma, (his preferred name) joins OCMS as it continues to serve the global church through mission studies, leadership and research. OCMS’s PhD programme has produced more than 220 graduates from countries on every continent. This year, Middlesex University revalidated the programme through 2032, supporting OCMS’s continued work in research and education.
“We are delighted to welcome Dr Mohammed Girma as he joins our Senio Management Team and assumes leadership of our academic programmes,” said Executive Director Paul Bendor-Samuel. “ Girma has an outstanding background in theology and political philosophy, and we look forward to him bringing this experience to enhance and enrich our PhD programme. At a time of challenge an change in theological education, we are excited to have Girma provide leadership and direction to our academic programmes as OCMS continues to faithfully serve the global church.” Girma joins OCMS from St Mellitus College, a leading theological college in the UK, where he has shared his expertise in global theology. He is also a doctoral supervisor and visiting lecturer at the University of Roehampton, and a research associate at the University of Pretoria. His background is in social and political philosophy and public theology. His research explores social harmony, democracy and religion, the role of religion in peace-building, and the philosophy of international development. He has previously worked at the Bible Society and as a visiting scholar and lecturer at Yale University and the London School of Theology. He holds a PhD from VU University Amsterdam.
Originally from Ethiopia and now based in the UK, Girma has written widely on African Christianity, religion in Ethiopia, migration, racial injustice, and cultural identity in post-Brexit Britain. He is married to Genet and they have two children.
Girma succeeds Dr Chammah Kaunda, who recently moved to South Africa join the University of South Africa (UNISA). During his tenure as Academic Dean, Dr Kaunda played a pivotal role in securing OCMS’ PhD revalidation by Middlesex University.
About Oxford Centre for Mission Studies
The Oxford Centre for Mission Studies (OCMS) is an independent Christian institution advancing global mission through research, scholarship, publishing and leadership development. Founded 43 years ago and housed in an Oxford church, OCMS has established a worldwide reputation for academic excellence and transformative programmes. Its PhD programme has produced more than 220 graduates from 56 countries, with an 85% completion rate. The Guided Research Programme (GRP) has welcomed 26 graduates since 2018 and currently supports more than 20 scholar-practitioners. OCMS’s Integrated Mission Leadership (IML) programme has equipped 90 senior leaders from more than 30 mission agencies and churches. Through its Regnum imprint, OCMS publishes around 20 books each year. Its peer-reviewed journal, Transformation, is published by Sage and has around 10,000 institutional subscribers and more than 40,000 full-text downloads annually. Guided by its values of spiritual community, hospitality, global connectivity, excellence and context-driven innovation, OCMS contributes to equipping the global church for faithful witness.