Blackfriars Hall

Blackfriars Hall is a Catholic permanent private hall of the University of Oxford. Unlike a college, a hall is owned and governed by an outside institution (in this case, the English Province of the Order of Preachers) and not by its fellows. Although historically a centre for the study of theology and philosophy informed by the intellectual tradition of St Thomas Aquinas, it now admits men and women of any faith to a wide range of postgraduate degree programmes in the humanities and social sciences. The current Regent of Blackfriars is Fr. John O'Connor, O.P..

Overview
Blackfriars Hall is the home of a number of other institutes including, the Las Casas Institute on ethics, governance and social justice. Launched in November 2008, the institute contributes to the hall's founding vision to be a centre of the social as well as the sacred sciences. Its founding director (from October 2008 to January 2011) was Francis Davis; the director is Richard Finn.

The Aquinas Institute was established in 2004 under the directorship of Fergus Kerr. It aims to foster study of St Thomas at Oxford through seminars, conferences, summer schools and programmes. Patrons of the institute include John Haldane, Alasdair MacIntyre and Eleonore Stump.

Notable former students

 * Joseph William Tobin, C.Ss.R., Cardinal prelate and Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark
 * Anthony Fisher, 9th Roman Catholic Archbishop of Sydney
 * Delia Gallagher, journalist, CNN Faith and Values Correspondent

Fellows and academics

 * John Battle - former MP for Leeds West
 * Brian Davies - philosopher and former Regent
 * Richard Finn - former Regent and Novice Master for The English Province of The Order of Preachers
 * Timothy Radcliffe - Master of the Order of Preachers from 1992 to 2001
 * Fergus Kerr - Regent (1998-2004)
 * James MacMillan - classical composer and conductor, Honorary Fellow
 * John Loughlin - Emeritus Fellow of St Edmund's College, Cambridge