Northern Irish theologian and academic
John Stafford Carson (born 29 May 1951) is a former Principal and Professor of Ministry at Union Theological College, Belfast, and a former moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. He took office as moderator on 1 June 2009 in succession to Dr Donald Patton. As moderator, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree by the Presbyterian Theological Faculty, Ireland.
In June 2013, he was appointed executive principal of Union Theological College but retired in December 2020.