Dr Jacqueline Watson

Humanist Chaplain

I’m Jackie and I’m a non-religious chaplain.  I joined the university chaplaincy team recently, in 2025. 

Life is precious, but it can also be challenging, and sometimes we need space to make sense of things and rediscover meaning in our lives.   I’m very happy to meet with anyone – religious or not religious – to have a chat, to be a listening ear, and to provide a bit of space for reflection and support. I’m available on Wednesday afternoons at the Multifaith Centre on Streatham Campus.

I’m a member of Humanists UK and had chaplaincy training with the Non-religious Pastoral Support Network.  For the past 10 years, I was a non-religious chaplain at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, and I was also a Humanist Celebrant carrying out weddings and funerals.  Before that, I was a lecturer and researcher in education at the University of East Anglia, with a special interest in spirituality.  If you search google scholar for ‘Jacqueline Watson spirituality’ you should find my academic papers, if you’re interested.  Before that, I was a secondary school teacher of religious education, and I completed my PGCE at St Lukes, here at the University of Exeter.  It’s great to be back!

I love ideas - whether religious, philosophical, or scientific.  I also love walking in the country and gardening.