More than 5.8 billion of the world’s 7 billion people claim some religious affiliation and most developed or developing economies are trying to grow their scientific infrastructure. Yet media pundits and scholars alike often see science as being in conflict with religion and the primary cause of secularization. Scholars argue that religion hinders the progress and acceptance of science in the United States, Europe, and parts of Asia. Until now, however, no research has addressed how scientists around the world view religion and how religion influences scientists in different national contexts. Ecklund has completed the most comprehensive cross-national study of scientists’ attitudes toward religion and spirituality ever undertaken. She will present data from the eight regions studied, along with initial analysis and implications for future dialogue on the science-religion interface. 

Join us for an evening of discussion and Q&A with Dr. Elaine Howard Ecklund. She is the Herbert S. Autrey Chair Professor of Sociology and Director of The Religion and Public Life Program at Rice University, where she is also a Rice Scholar at the Baker Institute for Public Policy. An expert on institutional change, Ecklund is a sociologist who examines how individuals bring changes to religious and scientific institutions.

For more information about her work, check out this website here.

Sponsored in part by GPSAFC and Christian Union. Co-sponsored with Graduate Christian Fellowship.