Challenging stereotypes of ‘Science’ and ‘Belief’: STEM as cultural identity in a pluralist world?
Dr. Fern Elsdon Baker, Newman University
Monday, October 24, 2016
5:15pm - 6:15pm
AA-G008
We have become accustomed to representations of ‘science’ as episodically being in
a state of conflict with faith based worldviews. However, surprisingly very little
research has been done to actually examine what public perceptions are about the relationship
between these purportedly clashing world views. Moreover, very little research has
been conducted into public perceptions of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
(STEM) across cultures, or within diaspora or diverse communities. Therefore, there
is a significant lack of understanding of how different cultures, faith groups or
communities might perceive or engage with STEM.
This seminar will explore the perceptions or prejudices that may affect individuals
or institutions when approaching research, policy decision-making, STEM communication
or delivery of services. These may manifest as implicit biases we hold towards certain
groups, faiths or communities when thinking about science and medicine in relation
to religious or more specifically non-Christian faith perspectives. Dr Elsdon-Baker
will draw on research currently being conducted to reflect on a few of the issues
arising in relation to science and religion across diverse contexts and science within
Muslim societies.
About the Speaker
Dr. Fern Elsdon Baker, Newman University
Principal Investigator, Project Director: Science and Religion: Exploring the Spectrum
Having originally trained in environmental sciences, Fern’s PhD was in the history and philosophy of evolutionary science. This and her subsequent research focused on theories of inheritance, science communication and its relationship to scientific knowledge production from the 1800's to present. In 2009 she published a book based on aspects of this research: Selfish Genius: How Richard Dawkins Rewrote Darwin’s Legacy.
She briefly left academia from 2008 – 2012 to work for the British Council on large-scale science and religion related projects. In the first instance she worked as Head of the Darwin Now Project. Darwin Now was a multi-million pound global initiative running in 50 countries worldwide, which celebrated the life and work of Charles Darwin, as part of the international celebrations of the Darwin anniversaries in 2009. Subsequently, she directed the British Councils Belief in Dialogue Programme – a multi-regional portfolio of inter-cultural and interfaith dialogue projects.
She is now based at Newman University as Principal Investigator of ‘Science and Religion: Exploring the Spectrum’, a major interdisciplinary research project incorporating a large-scale survey of public perceptions, attitudes and identity formation on the relationship between ‘science’ and ‘religion’ across all faiths and none. For more information, visit http://sciencereligionspectrum.org/
Keywords: History and philosophy of evolution; Darwin; inheritance; science communication; public perceptions of science
David Sloan Wilson, Director
Susan Ryan, EvoS Coordinator
evos @binghamton.edu