 The Ian Ramsey Centre is part of the Theology Faculty in the University of Oxford. It has the special aim of promoting high quality teaching and research in the exciting field of science and religion. Within the University the Centre runs a regular seminar series, bringing scientists, philosophers and theologians together to explore interests they have in common. The seminars are open to students and informed members of the public. In addition, the Centre sponsors regional conferences to encourage new networks through which connections between theology and the sciences can be explored. International workshops are organised to enhance the quality of courses on science and religion that are taught worldwide.
The Centre began its work, attached to St Cross College, Oxford, in 1985. It was named after Ian Ramsey, an Oxford Professor of the Philosophy of Religion and later Bishop of Durham, who, until his death in 1972, was particularly effective in communicating with experts from a wide range of disciplines, inspiring them to work together on the problems raised for theology and ethics by developments in science, technology and medicine. As a result of his experience he became convinced that a permanent centre was needed for enquiry into these inter-disciplinary areas. During its first phase from 1985-89, the Centre concentrated on ethical problems raised by the impact of science, technology and medicine on our society, and on the relevance of theology to them. These problems included the resolution of conflicts of values in environmental issues; the role of the concept of 'quality of life'in relation to decision-making in medicine; the nature of the human person; and general issues in science and theology. The Director during this period was Dr Arthur Peacocke , who retired in 1999 from a second term of office. In May 2001 Dr Peacocke was awarded the Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion. A memorial and appreciation of Dr Peacocke given by Professor Brooke can be found here (pdf file). From 1989-94, under the Directorship of Mrs Caroline Miles, the Centre collaborated in the development of the Oxford Practice Skills Project, with major grants from the Leverhulme Trust, encompassing ethics, communication skills and law for medical students. This is now an integral part of the University through the creation of a lecture post in Practical Skills. From 1995 to 2003 the Centre was a beneficiary of the John Templeton Foundation through a grant administered by the Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences, Berkeley. This provided for regional symposia and international workshops on the teaching of courses in science and religion. A grant from the European Science Foundation enabled the Centre to build stronger contacts with European universities. A three year research project on 'Science and Human Values' was designed by the then Director, Professor John Brooke, to analyse the values that have been conducive and those that have been obstructive to the sciences in different European contexts. Dr. Brooke was appointed in October 1999, the first holder of the University's newly created Andreas Idreos Professorship of Science and Religion. Upon his retirement in 2006 the Centre appointed Professor Roger Trigg as interim Director for the academic year 2006-7. Professor Trigg is now the Centre's Senior Research Fellow (see details of the new Templeton-funded Cognition, Religion and Theology Project in collaboration with the Department of Anthropology). Professor Peter Harrison assumed the Directorship in 2008. He is co-ordinator of the MSt Theology (Science and Religion) programme. |  Cognition, Religion & Theology Project
|
About Us | Seminars | Seminar archive | Conferences | Conference Archive | Home | Research | Staff details | Links | Contact | ©2010 Ian Ramsey Centre