Natural Sciences Stream

Including all disciplines that are part of the Medical Sciences and MPLS (Mathematical, Physical, Life Sciences) Division at the University of Oxford.

Friday 17th March (3:30pm to 8:30pm) and Saturday 18th March (9:00am to 4:00pm)

Magdalen College, Oxford

Senior convener: Ard Louis (Theoretical Physics)

Convener: Irene Zeitler (Biochemistry, Pembroke)

How can postgraduates, postdocs, and academics at the University of Oxford approach the natural sciences as Christians? What does it mean to respond to a Christian vocation and to honour God in university life?

The Natural and Medical Sciences Stream includes talks on science and Christian faith including a panel of Christian academics on Friday afternoon. On Saturday the focus will be on the Medical Sciences.

The Natural Sciences Stream includes all MPLS disciplines and welcomes those in the Medical Sciences. It is one of four disciplinary streams that make up Seeking Wisdom, the spring conference of Developing a Christian Mind. Past attendees are encouraged to come, listen to new talks, and take part in discussion with new attendees.

Please note our eligibility criteria: This event is for University of Oxford and Oxford Brookes postgraduates, postdocs, academic staff and DCM Alumni.

If you do not fit these criteria, please complete this form and we will review your request

Alumni: if you plan to attend in-person please scroll to the bottom of the registration form and select the ‘Alumni’ ticket.

Registration is now CLOSED.

Friday 17th March

3:30 pm Registration in Magdalen College’s Old Kitchen Bar with coffee & tea

4:00 pm - Human and Robot Autonomy - Nigel Crook (Associate Dean, Engineering, Computing and Mathematics, Oxford Brookes University)

In this talk I will explore what is generally meant by autonomy as it is applied both to humans and to robots. I will give an overview of the debate around free will and determinism and offer some thoughts about how an immaterial spirit or mind could interact with a physical brain and body to facilitate freedom of choice in a deterministic context. These and other related topics are discussed in my recently published book 'Rise of the Moral Machine: Exploring Virtue Through a Robot's Eyes'.

The following events are joint with all streams at New College.

5:30 pm Prayer in Magdalen College Auditorium

6:00 pm Walking together from Magdalen College to New College

6:15 pm Drinks in the New College Bar

6:45 pm Dinner in the New College Dining Hall

Saturday 18th March

9:00 am Registration in Magdalen College’s Old Kitchen Bar with coffee & tea

9:15 am Prayer at Magdalen College Chapel

9:45 am An introduction to big questions in science and faith - Ard Louis (Physics)

This talk will look at big picture questions in science and faith. How can we distinguish meaning from mechanism? What is nothing buttery? How about God of the gaps? What should Christians think about evolution? Will science one day answer all the big questions of life? Should we use science in apologetics?

11:15 am Coffee & tea in Old Kitchen Bar

11:30 am  The servant as leader - Michele Hu (Professor of Clinical Neuroscience and Consultant Neurologist)

My talk will explore Christ’s example as ‘the servant who leads’, instead of ‘the leader who serves’. What are the challenges of trying to apply this throughout a clinician neuroscientist career? What makes us fail? What helps leads to success? Can this approach lead to openings to share our beliefs at work, whether this is in the NHS, University or other secular environments? My talk will also try to explore real or perceived barriers in coming to faith for neuroscientists and doctors, among others who look after individuals affected by neurodegenerative and other brain disorders. Details of my research can be found at: https://www.ndcn.ox.ac.uk/team/michele-hu

1:00 pm Lunch in Old Kitchen Bar

2:00 pm Panel of Christians in the sciences, medicine and engineering including Monique Davisson (Clinical Infection Consultant, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust), Kezia Gaitskell (Consultant Pathologist & Honorary Clinical Lecturer), Mark Younger (Startup Advisor in Technology, Engineering) and chaired by Professor Ard Louis (Physics)

3:30 pm Coffee & tea in Old Kitchen Bar

4:00 pm Closing