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Programme > Science, Faith and Human Flourishing

Science, Faith and Human Flourishing

Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge: July 1-6, 2018

Deadline for applications: May 31, 2018
Deadline for Bursary applications: March 31, 2018

Aim of Course

This year's summer course "Science, Faith and Human Flourishing" addresses a number of big questions that have enormous impact on how we understand the world around us and how we learn to flourish in a changing environment. What is the nature of the physical universe? How do human beings grow spiritually and morally, even in extreme circumstances? What is the nature of religious experience? How does the impact of robotics and AI technologies affect our understanding of what it means to be human? How do religious scientists relate their scientific understanding to their scriptures and traditions? What does it mean to talk of purpose in biology and how is this relevant to ordinary believers? In this five-day course, we will explore the relationship between science and religion from a variety of perspectives – scientific, historical, theological and philosophical. A team of world-renowned speakers from a range of disciplines will contribute to the dialogue from their own experience and expertise in the keynote lectures. Additional workshops on a range of topics will enable us to explore specific scientific topics in more depth. There will be the opportunity to explore Cambridge's scientific heritage through a number of guided tours.

Course Fees  
Full rate: £750 (£410 non-residential)
Post Doc: £570 (£300 non-residential)
Student: £430 (£210 non-residential)
Deposit £100 

Speakers (listed in alphabetical order) and topics

Click on a speaker's name to obtain brief biographical details.

Venue

The course will be held at Lucy Cavendish College, Lady Margaret Road, Cambridge, CB3 0BU. Click here to obtain further details about the College.

Lucy Cavendish College is set in its own private grounds just off the Lady Margaret Road, within walking distance of Cambridge City Centre, the celebrated "Backs" and the other University Colleges.  It is located a few hundred metres from St. Edmund's College, the home of the Faraday Institute.

Lucy Cavendish College is just off the Madingly Road, a main ring road for Cambridge. It is within easy access of the M11 and A14 and has on-site parking.  The College is a short taxi-ride from the train and bus stations. Airport coach or train from Stansted Airport (the most convenient airport for Cambridge) takes 30-40 minutes.

 Location map for Lucy Cavendish College.

Application Form

Course Schedule

Sunday July 1
5.00 pmArrival and Registration
7.00 pmDinner
8.00 pmWelcome and Introductions (Wood-Legh Room)
8.30 pmDrinks Reception - Getting to Know You
Monday July 2
8.00 amBreakfast
9.00 amSetting the scene
9.15 amProf. Rene van Woudenberg: Scientism and the limits of Science
10.00 amQuestions and Discussion
10.30 amCoffee Break
11.00 amProf. Tim O'Connor: Ways of knowing in science and faith
11.45 amQuestions and Discussion
12.30 pmLunch
2.15 pmProf. Ian Hutchinson: What does science learn from theology and what does theology learn from science?
3.00 pmQuestions and Discussion
3.30 pmSmall Group Discussion
4.15 pmTea Break
4.45 pmProf. Tim O'Connor: How can we have free will if our brains are determined?
5.30 pmQuestions and Discussion
7.00 pmDinner
8.00 pmPanel Discussion
9.15 pmBar and informal discussion
Tuesday July 3
8.00 amBreakfast
9.15 amProf. Rene van Woudenberg: The Presuppositions of Science, the Bible and Christian Faith
10.00 amQuestions and Discussion
10.30 amCoffee Break
11.00 amProf. Paul Shellard: Big Bang Cosmology and Creation Theology
11.45 amQuestions and Discussion
12.30 pmLunch
1.30 pmFree time/Optional tours (Visit to Darwin Papers or Cambridge Science Tour)
3.15 pmTea Break
3.45 pmDr Louise Hickman: Historical Perspectives on Natural Theology
4.30 pmQuestions and Discussion
5.00 pmBreak
5.15 pmProf. Keith Fox: Creation and Evolution – an Overview
6.00 pmQuestions and Discussion
7.00 pmDinner
8.15 pmMeet the Speaker: Prof. Ian Hutchinson
9.15 pmBar and informal discussion
Wednesday July 4
8.00 amBreakfast
9.15 amProf. Stephanie Clarke: Is the Human Brain Hard-Wired for Faith?
10.00 amQuestions and Discussion
10.30 amCoffee Break
11.00 amRevd Dr Joanna Collicutt: The Psychology of Faith
11.45 amQuestions and Discussion
12.30 pmLunch
1.30 pmFree time/Optional tours (Visit to Darwin Papers or Cambridge Science Tour)
3.15 pmTea Break
3.45 pmProf. John Wyatt: Could a Robot Ever Have Real Human Identity?
4.30 pmQuestions and Discussion
5.00 pmBreak
5.30 pmPanel Discussion
7.00 pmDinner
8.15 pmMeet the Speaker: Prof. John Wyatt
9.15 pmBar and informal discussion
Thursday July 5
8.00 amBreakfast
9.15 amDr Lydia Jaeger: Creation ex nihilo and Science
10.00 amQuestions and Discussion
10.30 amCoffee Break
11.00 amProf. John Walton: Understanding Genesis in Context
11.45 amQuestions and Discussion
12.30 pmLunch
1.30 pmFree time
2.30 pmProf. Nidhal Guessoum: Creation and Evolution in the Muslim World
3.30 pmQuestions and Discussion
3.45 pmTea Break
4.30 pmSmall Group Discussion
5.15 pmDr Amy Unsworth: What Do UK Religious Communities Think About Evolution?
5.15 pmDr Caroline Tee: How Do Muslims and Christians Interpret Their Scriptures in the Light of Science?
7.00 pmGala Dinner
Friday July 6
8.00 amBreakfast
9.15 amDr Hilary Marlow: The Biblical Ethics of Creation Care
10.00 amQuestions and Discussion
10.30 amCoffee Break
11.00 amProf. Mike Hulme: Religious Engagements with Climate Change
11.45 amQuestions and Discussion
12.30 pmLunch
1.30 pmRevd Dr Roger Abbott: The Role of Religion in Human Responses to Natural Disasters
2.15 pmQuestions and Discussion
2.45 pmShort Break
3.00 pmProf. John Wyatt: Ethical Challenges at the Beginning and End of Life
3.45 pmQuestions and Discussion
4.15 pmClosing address and farewells
4.30 pmTea and Cakes and Depart