The Gilbert Scott Lectures on Science and Faith
The series of Gilbert Scott Lectures on Science and Faith that take place each year are designed to encourage learning, discussion, and reflection on a variety of aspects of science and faith, especially together. Bringing in a wide range of voices; from world-renowned, established academics, scientists and theologians, to the voices of practical, everyday experiences, they are designed to be accessible and enhance learning and reflection, whilst always being sensitive and respectful – all are welcome!
As a Cathedral community, we often talk about Liverpool Cathedral being a place of Encounter. We hope that through this lecture series you will encounter something about the way science and faith interact.
To see a list of our upcoming lectures, click here.
About Gilbert Scott
The series is entitled in honour of Dr Sebastian Gilbert Scott, brother of our famous Liverpool Cathedral Architect, Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. Sebastian was an internationally renowned physician and radiologist in London.
This annual series of lectures began in 2019; the 140th anniversary of Gilbert Scott's birth in Hampstead in 1879. His obituaries in the British Journal of Radiology and the British Medical Journal highlight his many clinical accomplishments…. but also how good a teacher he was, teaching by example through a kindly, cheerful and optimistic manner with his patients to many a young, trainee radiologist.
We hope that all of our speakers, year on year, share their thoughts, experience and expertise in much the same manner.
For more information, contact:
The Revd Canon Dr Mike Kirby; Canon Scientist, Liverpool Cathedral
mike.kirby@liverpoolcathedral.org.uk
Upcoming 2023 Lectures, Events and Online Material:
There is currently no Gilbert Scott Lectures on Science and Faith scheduled.
Please head to our Events Calendar to view all our upcoming Lectures and events.
Previous Lectures and Material – 2023 Series
Click the highlighted titles to watch the lecture on Youtube.
- ‘God, Gaia and Goodness: The nature or Nature and of the Divine’ (In-person lecture, 31 May). The Revd Prof Jeff Astley; Honorary Professor in the Department of Theology and Religion, and Professorial Fellow of St Chad's College, Durham University; Alister Hardy Professor of Religious and Spiritual Experience, Bishop Grosseteste University, Lincoln; Visiting Professor, York St John University (Sponsored by the Montgomery Trust)
To view Jeff’s presentation material, click here
- 'Sand, wind, water and plants: a recipe for coastal dunes and faith' (In-person lecture, 24 May). The Revd Paul Rooney; Senior Lecturer in Geography and Environmental Science, Liverpool Hope University; Permanent Deacon and Assistant Director for the Permanent Diaconate, Archdiocese of Liverpool. Member of the Society of Catholic Scientists.
To view Paul’s presentation material, click here
- 'Miracles in Mark: Can Science bring us closer?' (In-person lecture, 17 May). The Revd Canon Dr Mike Kirby; Canon Scientist – Liverpool Cathedral; Senior Lecturer (Radiotherapy Physics) – University of Liverpool; Honorary Lecturer (Cancer Sciences) – University of Manchester. Member of the Society of Ordained Scientists
To view Mike’s presentation material, click here
- 'Islam and Science' (In-person lecture, 10 May). Zia Chaudhry MBE DL; Barrister, author and speaker. Director of Premier Advocacy, and formerly a member of the Cathedral Council.
To view Zia’s transcript, click here
Our Previous Lectures - 2022 Series:
To view our previous lectures on youtube, please click the individual highlighted title.
- “Why Science and Faith Need Each Other”
Wednesday 18 May. Prof Elaine Howard Ecklund, Herbert S. Autrey Chair in Social Sciences, Religion and Public Life Program, Rice University, Houston, Tx, USA (speaking live from the USA) - "The Dead Sea Scrolls: science in antiquity and science at their service."
Wednesday 11 May. Prof George Brooke, Rylands Professor Emeritus of Biblical Criticism and Exegesis, University of Manchester, UK. - “Catastrophe, Resilience and Evolution: A Planetary Record of Redemption” Wednesday 2 March. Revd Dr Pan Conrad, Rector St Alban’s Episcopal Church, Glen Burnie, MD USA and Planetary Scientist/Astrobiologist, Carnegie Institution of Science, Washington DC, USA.
- "Compassionate Theodicy" Recorded Autumn 2022. The Canon Scientist ‘In Conversation’ with Dr Bethany Sollereder, Lecturer in Science and Religion, School of Divinity, University of Edinburgh (Includes closed captions)
Previous Lectures, 2021 series
- “God and a world of suffering, injustice and pain - how might that work?” Tuesday 1 June 2021. The Revd Canon Dr Mike Kirby, Canon Scientist, Liverpool Cathedral; Lecturer in Radiotherapy Physics and Cancer Sciences, Universities of Liverpool and Manchester, UK
- “Miles to go before I sleep: how my cancer became a source of joy”
Tuesday 18 May 2021. Dr Claire Foster-Gilbert; Director, Westminster Abbey Institute, London, UK (Sponsored by the Montgomery Trust) - “Thoughts from the sharp end - surgery, science and faith”
Tuesday 11 May 2021. The Revd Alex Baker; Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, ; Assistant Priest, Parish of St Cuthbert and St Thomas, Halsall, Lydiate and Downholland, Liverpool, UK - “The Science of Cathedral Studies”
Tuesday 4 May 2021. The Revd Canon Prof Leslie Francis; Canon Theologian, Liverpool Cathedral. Professor of Religions and Psychology, University of Warwick, UK - “Climate Change: Science and Faith Responses”
Tuesday 27 April 2021. Prof Ric Williams, Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chair in Ocean Sciences, University of Liverpool and Liz Atherton, Arts Coordinator for Interfaith and Environmental Development, Faiths4Change, UK
Previous Lectures, 2019 inaugural series
- “Approaches to Ecological Theology”
Thursday 30 May 2019. Prof Christopher Southgate, Professor of Christian Theodicy at Exeter University, UK (Sponsored by the Montgomery Trust) - “Science, Religion and the Search for Extra-terrestrial Intelligence”
Thursday 23 May 2019. The Revd Prof David Wilkinson, Professor, and Principal of St John’s College, Durham University, UK - “Body and Soul in the Light of Near Death Experiences”
Thursday 9 May 2019. The Very Revd Prof Gordon McPhate, Visiting Prof of Theology and Medicine, Chester University; Dean Emeritus of Chester, UK - “A life in Cancer Therapy – Professional and Pastoral Challenges”
Thursday 2 May 2019. The Revd Dr Mike Kirby, Chaplain, Liverpool Cathedral; Lecturer in Radiotherapy Physics, University of Liverpool; Honorary Lecturer, University of Manchester, UK