The Templeton Religion Trust has awarded SCIO, the UK Centre of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU), a $1.6 million grant to create summer seminars in Science and Religion in Oxford and enhance related activities at participating institutions.

Science and Religion are often presupposed to be antagonists, and debates in the field are often polemical or reliant on caricature. Part of the problem stems from the cultural differences that exist between the humanities and the sciences, differences which make cross-disciplinary discourse and collaboration in Science and Religion problematic.

These differences are among the issues to be addressed in the Oxford-led funded seminar programme, which will comprise:

• a series of research seminars in Oxford, UK, which will develop interdisciplinary training for 25 promising early- and mid-career faculty members from across the globe

• research- and student-focused activities at participating institutions

• a conference in Oxford for president’s of participating institutions.

Both components will see social and natural scientists join theologians, historians, and philosophers to explore contemporary Science and Religion issues guided by eminent scholars in the field and in a respectful and research-rich learning environment.

Campus programmes will develop young scholars, support conversations across the wider student body, and help campus leaders engage with current issues in Science and Religion through participation in a concluding conference

in Oxford for academic leaders from their home institutions.

These complementary project elements will shape the campus culture of the participants and their institutions for years to come.

Key Features of the Project

The two month-long seminars:5 July–1 August 2015 and 3–30 July 2016, for which each participant will receive a £1,750 stipend each summer, will include:

• lectures by eminent scholars in Science and Religion

• mentor sessions with participants and senior scholars

• one-to-one cross-disciplinary Oxford-style tutorials

• workshops on rhetorical, pedagogical, translational, and faith-based Science and Religion issues at participating institutions

• excursions to places such as Darwin’s rooms in Cambridge and Francis Bacon’s birthplace in St Albans

• cultural activities relevant to addressing the ‘two cultures’ challenge

• support for individual research projects intended for publication

• Funding for a research assistant which will both aid the participating scholar and create a valuable opportunity for developing a student scholar on the home campus.

• funding to establish (or bolster) science and religion student clubs at participants’ home institutions

• Presidents’ Conference in summer 2016 (28–31 July) on Science and Religion issues with leaders from participants’ home institutions.

O X F O R D I N T E R D I S C I P L I N A R Y S E M I N A R S I N S C I E N C E A N D R E L I G I O N

Bridging the Two Cultures of Science and the Humanities 2015–2016

A project funded by the Templeton Religion Trust

Call to Scholars in Science and Religion

‘The John Templeton Oxford Seminars on Science and Christianity, 1999–2001, were a turning point in my professional development. It was an unmatched opportunity to network with some of the leading scholars in the field of Science and Religion, a few of whom have become very good friends of mine …’

Donald A. Yerxa, Ph.D.Professor of History Emeritus, Eastern Nazarene College Director, Religion & Innovation Grants Program Editor, Fides et HistoriaPast Editor, Historically SpeakingThe Historical Society Participant in previous Oxford seminar offered by CCCU and SCIO

Terms and ConditionsWhile preference will be given to applications from full-time faculty members working at a CCCU member or affiliate institution, including international affiliates, applications will also be considered from full-time faculty at other accredited, degree-granting institutions. Scholars from Africa and South America are encouraged to apply.

As a condition of participation, the candidate’s sending institution must sponsor the candidate and agree to the following conditions in order for an application to be considered:

a. The institution will allow a single course-release or equivalent release from duties during the 2015–16 school year so that the applicant can work on his/her project.

b. The institutions from North America will cover the cost of travel to and from Oxford for the two summers of programming. Participants from outside North America may apply for the cost of flights if circumstances require this (after applicants have been notified of a successful admission).

c. The institution will support the creation or enhancement of a Science and Religion club on its premises and the hiring of research assistant(s) by the participants.

d. The president, or in rare instances and with permission a CAO, is prepared to attend the President’s Conference at the conclusion of the programming and the institution must agree to pay for travels costs.

Application StepsStep 1: Completion requested by 15 September 2014

Please complete the Intention to Apply form found on our website (www.scio-uk.org/bridging-two-cultures). This form will indicate your intention to apply and the basic information on your academic field, institution, and area of interest. (Please note that if you do not meet this deadline, you may still apply, but you will have less time to meet the application deadline.)

Step 2: Complete full application form by 20 October 2014

The full application form, with explicit instructions, will be sent to you after we receive notification that you have completed the Intention to Apply form.

All requested materials, including the full and complete application, CV, and reference letters, must be received by midnight (GMT) on Monday 20 October 2014.

Please email application forms and CV to the CCCU programme contact, Nita Stemmler, at science&religion@scio-uk.org. Only emailed applications will be accepted.

Awards will be announced by 1 December 2014.

Additional TermsOther than the stipend, funds will be sent to the applicant’s Business Office, and that institution shall serve as the fiscal agent during the life of the grant (with responsibilities indicated in a grant agreement). No overheads will be paid to institutions for any grants it awards. There is a clear expectation that the entire grant will be used by the faculty member and research assistant for the purposes outlined in the grant agreement.

Grant Agreements will require the following signatures: participant, Chief Academic Officer, President, and business officer.

Many of your questions can be answered by accessing our FAQ webpage found at: (www.scio-uk.org/bridging-two-cultures). Additional questions can be directed to Nita Stemmler at science&religion@scio-uk.org.

Staff and Principal Investigators

Academic Director

• Prof Alister McGrath, Andreas Idreos Professor of Science and Religion and Director of the Ian Ramsey Centre, University of Oxford

Project Director

• Dr Stanley P. Rosenberg, Director of SCIO and Member of the Faculty of Theology and Religion, University of Oxford

Project Coordinator

• Dr Michael Burdett, Postdoctoral Fellow in Religion, Science, and Technology, Wycliffe Hall, and Associate Member of the Faculty of Theology and Religion, University of Oxford

Senior Consultant

• Dr John Roche, Senior Lecturer in History of Science, SCIO, and Member of Linacre College and the Faculty of History, University of Oxford

Advisory Board

UK

• Prof John Headley Brooke, Andreas Idreos Professor Emeritus of Science and Religion, University of Oxford

• Dr Ard Louis, Reader in Theoretical Physics, University of Oxford

• Dr Andrew Pinsent, Research Director, Ian Ramsey Centre, University of Oxford

• Dr Ignacio Silva, Research Fellow, Ian Ramsey Centre, University of Oxford

• Prof Graham Ward, Regius Professor of Divinity, University of Oxford

• Dr Johannes Zachhuber, Reader in Theology, University of Oxford

USA• Dr Justin Barrett, Thrive Professor of Developmental Science and

Director of the Thrive Center for Human Development, Fuller Theological Seminary

• Dr Claudia Beversluis, Provost and Professor of Psychology, Calvin College

• Dr Kenneth Bussema, Executive Consultant for Special Projects, Council for Christian Colleges & Universities

• Dr Dorothy Chappell, Dean of Natural and Social Sciences and Professor of Biology, Wheaton College

• Dr Mark Sargent, Provost and Dean of Faculty, Westmont College

• Dr Brock Schroeder, Vice President for Graduate and Professional Studies and Enrollment, Mount Vernon Nazarene University

“ Those three summers, without a doubt, were the best of my career. All that has happened here at Samford (Science & Christianity Cadre, undergraduate major, Center for Science and Religion, numerous grants - both research and program) are a direct result of the hard work invested in the project as well as in each individual participant.”

Thomas W. Woolley, Ph.D.Professor of Statistics, Samford University

Senior Fellow, Samford University’s Center for Science and Religion

Participant in previous Oxford seminar offered by CCCU and SCIO

More information is available on our website at: www.scio-uk.org/bridging-two-cultures

O X F O R D I N T E R D I S C I P L I N A R Y S E M I N A R S I N S C I E N C E A N D R E L I G I O N