Perceptions: Science and Religious Communities was a day-long national conference that brought together leaders in science and religion—including Nobel Prize-winning physicist William D. Phillips, Texas Tech University climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe, National Association of Evangelicals president Leith Anderson, and Rice University sociologist Elaine Howard Ecklund—to foster dialogue between scientific and religious communities, and to plan a course for future conversation. The March 13, 2015 conference included dynamic speakers, enriching topical discussion tracks, lunch, and a concluding reception.
Topical Discussion Tracks
Challenges and Opportunities in Science Dialogue
- Origins
- Dorothy Chappell – Dean of Natural and Social Sciences; Professor of Biology, Wheaton College
- Deborah Haarsma – President, BioLogos
- Ronald L. Numbers – Hilldale Professor of the History of Science and Medicine Emeritus, University of Wisconsin, Madison
- Rick Potts – Director of Human Origins Program and Curator of Anthropology, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
- Environmental Stewardship
- Dorothy Boorse – Professor of Biology, Gordon College
- Katharine Hayhoe – Director, Climate Science Center at Texas Tech University
- Mitchell C. Hescox – President and CEO, Evangelical Environmental Network
- Global Health
- Galen Carey – Vice President, Government Relations, National Association of Evangelicals
- Anbrasi M. Edward – Assistant Scientist, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health
- Amy Gambrill – Senior Technical Specialist, Water Sector Communications and Knowledge Management Program, ME&A
- Meredith Long – Senior Advisor for Integral Mission and International Health, World Concern
- Tim Ziemer – U.S. Global Coordinator, President's Malaria Initiative
Strategies for Improving Dialogue
- Scientists and the Religious Public: Approaches to Better Dialogue
- Ian H. Hutchinson – Professor of Nuclear Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Jay B. Labov – Senior Advisor for Education and Communications, National Research Council; National Academies
- Sarah Pulliam Bailey – Religion Reporter, The Washington Post
- Isaac Rowlett – Senior Public Engagement Associate, Public Agenda
- Eugenie C. Scott – Chair of Advisory Council, National Center for Science Education
- Science and Religion in the Media
- David Anderson – Founder and Senior Pastor, Bridgeway Community Church
- Barbara Bradley Hagerty – Journalist and Author of "Fingerprints of God: The Search for the Science of Spirituality"
- Cathy Lynn Grossman – Senior National Correspondent, Religion News Service and Creator of USA Today Religion & Ethics beat
- Jaweed Kaleem – Senior Religion Reporter, The Huffington Post
- Eli Kintisch – Correspondent, Science magazine and Author of "Hack the Planet"
- Science Engagement in Congregations
- Greg Cootsona – Director, Science for Students and Emerging, Young Adults
- Randy Isaac – Executive Director, American Scientific Affiliation
- Walter Kim – Associate Minister, Park Street Church
- Geoffrey A. Mitelman – Founding Director, Sinai and Synapses
- Praveen Sethupathy – Assistant Professor, Department of Genetics, UNC Chapel Hill School of Medicine