Tag: St. Andrews

Prof Christoph Schwöbel  (1955-2021)

We regret to report that friends of professor Christoph Schwöbel have shared news, online, of his very recent passing away. Professor Schwöbel was the 1643 Chair in Divinity at University of St. Andrews. Some of Professor Schwöbel’s distinguished career includes being professor of Systematic Theology at the University of Tubingen since 2004, teaching at the University of Heidelberg (1999-2004), the University of Kiel (1993-1999), King’s College London (1986-1993) and the University of Marburg (1981-1986). You can access a list of his sixty plus publications online here at the University of St. Andrews website. During a 2019 recording of Logos Summer Institute, here, Schwöbel was introduced as one who enriched the theological community where he worked with a brilliant mind and humble disposition.

Image Credit: (Image from https://theology.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/people/staff/ )

Fellowship Opportunity in Science-Engaged Theology Offered by the New Visions in Theological Anthropology (NViTA) Project.


(UPDATED:  February, 2021)  

As a result of the current Covid-19 travel restrictions, the 2021 Summer Fellowship will now be held as a 3-day virtual workshop.

Successful 2021 Fellowship applicants will still be funded to take part in a conference in Scotland in 2022.

The application deadline has been extended to the 14th of March 2021.


The New Visions in Theological Anthropology project (University of St. Andrews) has announced a new fellowship opportunity.

Our vision – New Visions in Theological Anthropology (NViTA) 

  • The NViTA project will focus on three subdisciplinary pairings within the overarching umbrellas of behavioral science and theological anthropology: 
  1.   Moral Theology & Evolutionary Biology 
  2.   Spiritual Formation & Developmental Psychology
  3.   Ecclesiology & Cognitive Science 
  • Our project does not study ‘science and religion’ as such. Instead we are interested in thoroughgoingly theological questions that are explicit about what branch of science they draw upon and what subdisciplines of theology they fall within. Any scientific and theological (biblical, ethics, philosophical, practical, systematic, etc.) subdisciplines are welcome, provided they are clearly stated. 
  • We do not think that all theology need be science-engaged. That is, we do not think that because empirical data is needed for some theological questions that it is thus required for all theological questions; but, when it is required, we want to encourage this to be done well. 
  • We prioritise expressing our research through theological puzzles. 

About the Fellowship  

  • The Fellowship is a unique professional opportunity to support the development of scholarship in Science–Engaged Theology within the NViTA project.  
  • The Fellowship endeavours to provide a supportive and collaborative environment for Fellows to develop their research in this field.   

What is included?  

NViTA Summer Workshop 

  • Attendance at the NViTA Summer Workshop in June. [UPDATE: June attendance is subject to the public health guidance. A decision about the June residential will be made as the date draws near.  ] This will take place in St Andrews, Scotland.   
  • Travel, accommodation and the majority of meals for the duration of the workshop (within budget guidelines).  
  • Fellowship Stipend of £3,500 per winning project.  
  • The opportunity to collaborate with other Fellows, and experts in the fields of science and theology.  

Ongoing research support 

  • Assistance with development of your theological puzzle with view to eventual publication.  
  • Membership in Fellowship subgroup to encourage detailed conversation with other Fellows and leaders in science-engaged theology. 

NViTA at AAR/SBL Annual Meetings 

  • Travel subsidy of up to £500 and participation in one-day NViTA workshop linked to the AAR/SBL Annual Meetings.    

Follow-on Funding 

  • The opportunity to apply for additional funding (Follow-on Funding) of up to £25,000 to support research in areas of your theological puzzle and to encourage engagement with science. 

More about Follow-on Funding 

Fellows with particularly promising projects will be eligible for competitive follow-on funding to support additional research. These follow-up proposals may be for amounts of up to £20,000 for research support and up to an additional £5,000 to enable them to engage in activities that draw their work into deeper engagement with contemporary science and practicing scientists. 

Science activities could include short-term or long-term visits to a scientific laboratory or research group, attending a scientific conference or meeting a scientist whose work is pertinent to the area of theological inquiry, buying scientific books, paying a scientist honoraria to consult or review drafts of your work, or some similar activity that deepens engagement with an active scientific research field. 

Future Dates 

2021

  • Fellowship Applications Due: 14th February 2021
  • Announcements Made: 15th March 2021
  • Summer Workshop in St. Andrews: Expected to take place 6th – 12th June 2021 (Scotland)
  • Follow-on Funding Application Period: Summer/Autumn 2021
  • Workshop at AAR/SBL: Expected to take place 19th November 2021 (San Antonio, USA) 

2022

  • Fellowship Applications Due: 14th February 2022
  • Announcements Made: 15th March 2022
  • Summer Workshop in St. Andrews: 5th – 11th June 2022 (Scotland)
  • Follow-on Funding Application Period: TBC
  • Workshop at AAR/SBL: Expected to take place 18th  November 2022 (Denver, USA) 

Past Dates

2020

  • Fellowship Applications Due: 20th February 2020 (deadline extended)
  • Announcements Made: 15th March 2020
  • Summer Workshop in St. Andrews: 7th – 13th June 2020 (Scotland) – postponed
  • Follow-on Funding Application Period: Autumn 2020
  • Workshop at AAR/SBL: AAR/SBL 2020 Annual Meeting now virtual event and replaced by virtual sessions 

The Fellowship will run from a Fellow’s date of acceptance until 31st July 2022.  

 How do I apply for the Fellowship?  

Fellows

2020 Cohort

Fellowship Opportunity in Science-Engaged Theology Offered by the New Visions in Theological Anthropology (NViTA) Project.

The New Visions in Theological Anthropology project (University of St. Andrews) has announced a new fellowship opportunity.

Our vision – New Visions in Theological Anthropology (NViTA) 

  • The NViTA project will focus on three subdisciplinary pairings within the overarching umbrellas of behavioral science and theological anthropology: 
  1.   Moral Theology & Evolutionary Biology 
  2.   Spiritual Formation & Developmental Psychology
  3.   Ecclesiology & Cognitive Science 
  • Our project does not study ‘science and religion’ as such. Instead we are interested in thoroughgoingly theological questions that are explicit about what branch of science they draw upon and what subdisciplines of theology they fall within. Any scientific and theological (biblical, ethics, philosophical, practical, systematic, etc.) subdisciplines are welcome, provided they are clearly stated. 
  • We do not think that all theology need be science-engaged. That is, we do not think that because empirical data is needed for some theological questions that it is thus required for all theological questions; but, when it is required, we want to encourage this to be done well. 
  • We prioritise expressing our research through theological puzzles. 

About the Fellowship  

  • The Fellowship is a unique professional opportunity to support the development of scholarship in Science–Engaged Theology within the NViTA project.  
  • The Fellowship endeavours to provide a supportive and collaborative environment for Fellows to develop their research in this field.   

What is included?  

NViTA Summer Workshop 

  • Attendance at the NViTA Summer Workshop in June. This will take place in St Andrews, Scotland.   
  • Travel, accommodation and the majority of meals for the duration of the workshop (within budget guidelines).  
  • Fellowship Stipend of £3,500 per winning project.  
  • The opportunity to collaborate with other Fellows, and experts in the fields of science and theology.  

Ongoing research support 

  • Assistance with development of your theological puzzle with view to eventual publication.  
  • Membership in Fellowship subgroup to encourage detailed conversation with other Fellows and leaders in science-engaged theology. 

NViTA at AAR/SBL Annual Meetings 

  • Travel subsidy of up to £500 and participation in one-day NViTA workshop linked to the AAR/SBL Annual Meetings.    

Follow-on Funding 

  • The opportunity to apply for additional funding (Follow-on Funding) of up to £25,000 to support research in areas of your theological puzzle and to encourage engagement with science. 

More about Follow-on Funding 

Fellows with particularly promising projects will be eligible for competitive follow-on funding to support additional research. These follow-up proposals may be for amounts of up to £20,000 for research support and up to an additional £5,000 to enable them to engage in activities that draw their work into deeper engagement with contemporary science and practicing scientists. 

Science activities could include short-term or long-term visits to a scientific laboratory or research group, attending a scientific conference or meeting a scientist whose work is pertinent to the area of theological inquiry, buying scientific books, paying a scientist honoraria to consult or review drafts of your work, or some similar activity that deepens engagement with an active scientific research field. 

Future Dates 

2021

  • Fellowship Applications Due: 14th February 2021
  • Announcements Made: 15th March 2021
  • Summer Workshop in St. Andrews: Expected to take place 6th – 12th June 2021 (Scotland)
  • Follow-on Funding Application Period: Summer/Autumn 2021
  • Workshop at AAR/SBL: Expected to take place 19th November 2021 (San Antonio, USA) 

2022

  • Fellowship Applications Due: 14th February 2022
  • Announcements Made: 15th March 2022
  • Summer Workshop in St. Andrews: 5th – 11th June 2022 (Scotland)
  • Follow-on Funding Application Period: TBC
  • Workshop at AAR/SBL: Expected to take place 18th  November 2022 (Denver, USA) 

Past Dates

2020

  • Fellowship Applications Due: 20th February 2020 (deadline extended)
  • Announcements Made: 15th March 2020
  • Summer Workshop in St. Andrews: 7th – 13th June 2020 (Scotland) – postponed
  • Follow-on Funding Application Period: Autumn 2020
  • Workshop at AAR/SBL: AAR/SBL 2020 Annual Meeting now virtual event and replaced by virtual sessions 

The Fellowship will run from a Fellow’s date of acceptance until 31st July 2022.  

 How do I apply for the Fellowship?  

Fellows

2020 Cohort

Three Virtual Sessions on Science-Engaged Theology; Hosted by (NViTA) New Visions in Theological Anthropology.


New Visions in Theological Anthropology (NViTA), an initiative in science-engaged theology 

The NViTA team are excited to announce we will be running three virtual sessions examining topics in science-engaged theology around the AAR and SBL Virtual Meetings. As a member of the emerging science-engaged theology community we would like to invite you to take part in these sessions. You are welcome to attend all or just one of the sessions. 

1.        Teaching science-engaged theology. – Tuesday 1st December 2020  

2.       Puzzles in science-engaged theology. – Tuesday 8th December 2020  

3.       Science-engaged theologies: variations on a common theme? – Thursday 10th December 2020 

For full details including descriptions, a list of presenters and how to register please go to https://set.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/virtual-sessions/

The NViTA team 

John Perry, Joanna Leidenhag, Sarah Lane Ritchie, Mikael Leidenhag, Kevin Nordby

Call for Proposals: Course Development Grants in Science and Theology. University of St. Andrews – Upcoming Deadlines 31 Oct. 2020 and 28 Feb. 2021.

The “New Visions in Theological Anthropology” project at the University of St Andrews has announced two new rounds of course development grants in Science and Theology. This posting is a reminder of the upcoming deadline:

Deadline 31 October 2020 and 28 February 2021 

Our project seeks to encourage research and teaching on science and theology/religion. We encourage the development of new courses which use empirical research in some aspect of theology/religion. While we are especially drawn to the pairings of (1) Moral Theology & Evolutionary Biology, (2) Spiritual Formation & Developmental Psychology, and (3) Ecclesiology & Cognitive Science, we welcome proposals for any syllabus that engages theology with empirical science. Since developing any new course will take time away from other research, we have launched this series of Course Development Grants and offer stipends of £2,000.

For full details including how to apply: https://set.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/course-development-grant/.

Call for Proposals: Course Development Grants in Science and Theology. University of St Andrews – Deadline 30 June, 2020.

The “New Visions in Theological Anthropology” project at the University of St. Andrews has announced a new round of course development grants in Science and Theology.

Deadline 30 June 2020. 

Our project seeks to encourage research and teaching on science and theology/religion. We encourage the development of new courses which use empirical research in some aspect of theology/religion. While we are especially drawn to the pairings of (1) Moral Theology & Evolutionary Biology, (2) Spiritual Formation & Developmental Psychology, and (3) Ecclesiology & Cognitive Science, we welcome proposals for any syllabus that engages theology with empirical science. Since developing any new course will take time away from other research, we have launched this series of Course Development Grants and offer stipends of £2,000.

More information can be found here: https://set.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/course-development-grant/“.

University of St. Andrews – Call for Proposals: Course Development Grants in Science and Theology

The “New Visions in Theological Anthropology” project at the University of St. Andrews has announced a call for course proposals in Science and Theology.

Deadline 29 February. 

The project seeks to encourage research and teaching on science and theology/religion. We encourage the development of new courses which use empirical research in some aspect of theology/religion. While we are especially drawn to the pairings of (1) Moral Theology & Evolutionary Biology, (2) Spiritual Formation & Developmental Psychology, and (3) Ecclesiology & Cognitive Science, we welcome proposals for any syllabus that engages theology with behavioral science. Since developing any new course will take time away from other research, we have launched this series of Course Development Grants.

Full information about the Course Development Grants can be found here: https://set.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/course-development-grant/.”

New Visions in Theological Anthropology – Summer Workshops (University of St Andrews)

About

New Visions in Theological Anthropology: Engaging with the Behavioral Sciences is a project designed to get theologians thinking carefully about theological anthropology on those questions that involve evolutionary biology, developmental psychology, and cognitive science. This project is intended as an exercise in science-engaged theology. By this, we see science as an authentic theological source alongside – not in competition with – scripture, tradition, and reason.

We don’t think that all theology needs to be science-engaged, nor do we think that theological anthropology needs science more than any other area. But we must begin somewhere. Therefore, within the overarching umbrellas of behavioral science and theological anthropology, we will focus on three subdisciplinary pairings:

  1. Moral Theology & Evolutionary Biology
  2. Spiritual Formation & Developmental Psychology
  3. Ecclesiology & Cognitive Science

Summer Workshops

Apply now for June 2020

What wprovide

  • One-week collaborative summer workshop in Scotland, where participants can work on their own research
  • Full transportation, lodging and meals during the workshop
  • Stipend of £3,500, plus opportunity for significant follow-up funding (£25,000)
  • AAR travel subsidy (£500)

Our vision

  • For the next three years, our project will focus on three subdisciplinary pairings within the overarching umbrellas of behavioral science and theological anthropology:
    1. Moral Theology & Evolutionary Biology
    2. Spiritual Formation & Developmental Psychology
    3. Ecclesiology & Cognitive Science
  • Our project doesn’t study ‘science and religion’ as such. Instead we are interested in thoroughgoingly theological questions that are explicit about what branch of science they draw upon and what subdisciplines of theology they fall within. Any scientific and theological (biblical, ethics, philosophical, practical, systematic, etc) subdisciplines are welcome, provided they are clearly stated.
  • We don’t think that all theology need be science-engaged. That is, we do not think that because empirical data is needed for some theological questions that it is thus required for all theological questions; but, when it is required, we want to encourage this to be done well.
  • We prioritize theological puzzles.

Additional funding

Participants with particularly promising projects will be eligible for competitive follow-on funding to support additional research. These follow-up proposals may be for amounts of up to £20,000 for research support, and applicants should request up to an additional £5,000 to enable them to engage in activities that draw their work into deeper engagement with contemporary science and practicing scientists.

Activities of the latter sort could include short-term or long-term visits to a scientific laboratory or research group, attending a scientific conference or meeting a scientist whose work is pertinent to the area of theological inquiry, buying scientific books, paying a scientist honoraria to consult or review drafts of your work, or some similar activity that deepens engagement with an active scientific research field.

2020 2021 2022
Applications Due: 14 February 2020 14 February 2021 14 February 2022
Announcements Made: 15 March 2020 15 March 2021 15 March 2022
Workshop: 8-14 June 2020 (Scotland) 7-13 June 2021 (Scotland) 6-12 June 2022 (Scotland)
Follow-up Meeting at AAR: 20 November 2020 (Boston) 19 November 2021 (San Antonio) 18 November 2022 (Denver)

New Visions in Theological Anthropology – Course Syllabi Grants (University of St Andrews)

About

New Visions in Theological Anthropology: Engaging with the Behavioral Sciences is a project designed to get theologians thinking carefully about theological anthropology on those questions that involve evolutionary biology, developmental psychology, and cognitive science. This project is intended as an exercise in science-engaged theology. By this, we see science as an authentic theological source alongside – not in competition with – scripture, tradition, and reason.

We don’t think that all theology needs to be science-engaged, nor do we think that theological anthropology needs science more than any other area. But we must begin somewhere. Therefore, within the overarching umbrellas of behavioral science and theological anthropology, we will focus on three subdisciplinary pairings:

  1. Moral Theology & Evolutionary Biology
  2. Spiritual Formation & Developmental Psychology
  3. Ecclesiology & Cognitive Science

Course Development Grants

Our project seeks to encourage research and teaching on science and theology/religion. We have found getting students thinking about the relationship between theology and empirical research is a good way to introduce new students to the field, as well as a good way to get advanced students performing at the highest level. During the St Andrews-based pilot programme, one course we developed turned out to be the largest in our department. Another, aimed for upper-division seminar discussions, was team taught by an expert in science and religion together with a professor in Hebrew Bible; they found it the perfect context for research-led teaching. Since developing any new course will take time away from other research, we have launched this series of Course Development Grants.

What we provide

  • Stipend of £1,200
  • Eligibility for a travel bursary (£500) to share findings at next AAR annual meeting

Your new course

  • Develop a new course which uses empirical research in some aspect of theology/religion.
  • While we are especially drawn to the pairings of (1) Moral Theology & Evolutionary Biology, (2) Spiritual Formation & Developmental Psychology, and (3) Ecclesiology & Cognitive Science, we welcome proposals for any syllabus that engages theology with behavioral science.
  • Courses can be for lower-division undergraduates, upper-division undergraduates, or for Master’s degrees.
  • Courses could be open to any major or limited to theology/religion, provided that it is at least cross-listed in your theology/religion department.

Selection criteria & eligibility

  • Overall fit with project vision (our project is somewhat different than the discipline of ‘Science & Religion’; see What is Science-Engaged Theology?).
  • Clear choice of relevant scientific and theological subdisciplines/topics.
  • Course plan reflects innovative ideas within best pedagogical practice and the scholarship of teaching and learning.
  • Because bias gets in the way of good science (and theology), we seek a diverse set of topics and participants. Therefore, we are especially eager to facilitate participation by women and courses that study women’s contributions to science and theology.
  • Open to scholars with a PhD who are currently teaching in any college or university department of theology, divinity, or religious studies.

How to apply

Submit the following items to setheology@st-andrews.ac.uk:

  • Short description of the proposed module/class (400 words). Be sure to make your adherence to our project guidelines clear, in particular: (1) stating the subdisciplines you plan to use, both from theology and the relevant science, (2) why this course is important, and (3) a bit about the intended audience.
  • Applicant CV.
  • Letter of support from your department chair or dean, confirming the likelihood of the course being taught within approximately 2-3 semesters after development.
  • If you are selected, you will provide:
    1. Course syllabus/handbook, including assignments you set, readings, etc.
    2. If and when the new course has been taught, student feedback and your own feedback from a teachers’ perspective.

Wycliffe Hall announces the appointment of NT Wright as their Senior Research Fellow

Wycliffe Hall today announces that the Wycliffe Hall Council intends to appoint NT Wright (The Rt Revd Prof Nicholas Thomas Wright) as Senior Research Fellow, as of 1 October 2019. NT Wright is currently Research Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at St Mary’s College, St Andrews in Scotland.

Revd Dr Michael Lloyd, Principal of Wycliffe Hall, said:

We are delighted that Tom will be joining us. Wycliffe aspires to be a centre for the intellectual renewal of the Church, and, through the Church, of society. I can think of notom_wright one who is better able to help us to make that aspiration a reality. Tom has reshaped the field of New Testament studies, he has defended the historicity of Jesus’ resurrection with a thoroughness and sophistication never before attempted, and his impact reaches far beyond the boundaries of the church by his engagement with the traditional and new forms of media. He will help foster an intellectual fearlessness and a disciplined spirituality in the next generation of church leaders. We look forward to welcoming him and Maggie back to Oxford.

See here for the full announcement: Wycliffe Hall.