Call for Papers: New Perspectives on Science and Religion in Society
Please note: bursary supported places available.
Thursday 29th June – Saturday 1st July 2017
Chancellors Hotel and Conference Centre, Manchester, UK.
Organised in partnership between by Newman University, UK, University of Kent, UK, York University, Canada, and Kent State University, USA.
In the last decade there has been significant growth in social scientific scholarship on science and religion, complementing the more established historical research into the subject. Greater attention is being paid to the varied ways in which perceptions of science are influenced by religious and non-religious belief, identity, community and conflict in different geographical, cultural and historical contexts. The purpose of this international conference is to bring together researchers with backgrounds in history, anthropology, sociology, STS, psychology, political science and related humanities and social science disciplines to discuss perspectives on the overarching topic of science and religion in society.
Abstracts are invited for the conference relating to the following themes:
- The social scientific and historical study of the relationship between science and religious and/or non-religious belief and identity;
- Public perceptions of the relationship between science, religion and non-religion and their respective roles in society;
- National and international comparative perspectives on the study of science, religion and belief in society;
- Past and present media or popular representations of science and religion;
- The past or present roles of science, rationalism, religion and belief in national, social or cultural identity and related geopolitical narratives;
- Multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches to the study of science, religion and non-religion in society;
- Methodological approaches to, and issues in, the study of science and religion in society;
- Avenues for future research and developments within the social scientific and historical study of science and religion.
We are interested in papers that relate to any aspect of STEMM in society (science, technology, engineering, medicine, and mathematics) and that discuss any religious tradition or non-religious belief system, including unbelief.
Individual Paper submissions:
To submit a paper proposal, please send an abstract of no more than 300 words, alongside a biographical note of no more than 100 words including name, institutional affiliation and email address.
Panel session proposals:
We will also be accepting a limited number of panel proposals with a maximum of four speakers. To submit a panel proposal, please send a session summary of no more than 250 words alongside abstracts of no more than 300 words for each paper and biographical note of no more than 100 words for each contributor.
Individual or panel session submissions may cross over several of the themes listed above and those intending to submit papers are encouraged to consider the relevance of their work to other academic disciplines.
Please send all individual paper and session proposals to events.sres@newman.ac.uk for the attention of the conference organizers, Dr Stephen Jones, Dr Emma Preece and Dr James Thompson.
All abstracts must be submitted by 3rd March 2017.
Conference Bursaries:
A limited number of bursaries are available to support postgraduate, early career, retired, low income or unwaged presenters. These will cover conference transport costs (to a maximum of £150 for UK participants and £800 for international participants), registration, catering and accommodation for up to 3 nights. Please complete the bursary form, including your contact details, a short biography (including a clear statement regarding your career stage), your abstract and a statement of interest to be considered for one of the bursaries. The deadline for submission of bursary applications is 3rdMarch 2017.
The bursary application form can be found at the following address:
Key Dates:
Abstract submission: Open now
Deadline for abstracts and conference bursary applications: 3rd March 2017
Decision notification: 17th March 2017
Registration opens: 20th March 2017
Registration deadline for presenters: 14th April 2017
Registration closes: 30th April 2017
Should you have other questions about the conference please contact the conference organisers at events.sres@newman.ac.uk.
For further details, visit the conference webpage at:
The conference is being held as part of the project ‘Science and Religion: Exploring the Spectrum’ based at Newman University, UK, University of Kent, UK, York University, Canada, and Kent State University, USA. For more information visit: