An evening with The Rt Revd Rachel Treweek

The University welcomes The Rt Revd Rachel Treweek, Bishop of Gloucester, for a special In Conversation event exploring faith, leadership, and justice in the modern world. 

Bishop Rachel made history in 2015 as the first female diocesan bishop in the Church of England and the first female bishop in the House of Lords. She serves as Anglican Bishop for HM Prisons and regularly speaks on penal reform, working with numerous prison charities and organisations preventing violence against women and girls. As Patron of Embrace the Middle East, she brings spiritual wisdom and political insight to complex global issues. 

Before ordination, Bishop Rachel earned her BA in Linguistics and Language Pathology from Reading in 1985, later working as an NHS Paediatric Speech and Language Therapist. The University honoured her with an Honorary Doctorate in 2016. 

This special evening offers a rare opportunity to hear Bishop Rachel reflect on her formative years at Reading, the University's centenary, and her vision for the future. She'll share insights from her extraordinary journey and discuss how faith can meaningfully engage with pressing social issues.  

The Rt Revd Rachel will be interviewed by Bishop Mary Gregory, Bishop of Reading, drawing on her experience in the Prison Service and reconciliation. Mary was consecrated as Bishop of Reading in February 2025.

Registration opens at 18:30, the event will run from 19:00 - 20:30

Admission is FREE but booking is essential.