STUDENT SOCIETY

Through a generous three-year grant from the Local Societies Initiative of the Metanexus Institute and matching funds from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, the Zygon Center for Religion and Science created a student group called the Hyde Park Religion and Science Society.

The purpose of the society is to provide students in Hyde Park a chance to create their own dialogue on issues in the religion and science field. Meetings are held twice per month at the Lutheran School of Theology. The goal is to encourage young scholars in the field of religion and science toward making a future impact on academic teaching and education within religious communities. Grant funding allows the society to support student activities and initiative. (Also see: Hyde Park Religion and Science Society awarded $10,000 grant)

Hyde Park Society members at a society meeting.

The society invites all theology students (MDiv, MA, ThM, and PhD) in Hyde Park to participate.

For more information, contact ZCRS at zcrs@lstc.edu or (773) 256-0670.

ACTIVITIES

• Bi-monthly meetings to discuss student research
• Conversations with leaders in the field of religion and science .
• Participation in religion-and-science conferences and symposia

BENEFITS FOR ACTIVE MEMBERS

1. Opportunity to apply for travel scholarships to attend religion and science conferences and symposia
2. Subscriptions to Zygon: Journal of Religion and Science and Theology and Science
3. Contacts in a religion and science network in Hyde Park and Chicago
4. Peer support for research and writing; mentorship from faculty advisors

OUR MEMBERS

In the 2006-2007 academic year, Hyde Park Religion and Science Society members have:

• Presented 15 papers at regional and national conferences and as invited lecturers
• Moderated conference panels 5 times
• Led 5 adult forums and adult education series in churches
• Attended 27 conferences  
• Co-edited 1 book
• Organized 1 conference
• Developed 1 religion and science curriculum for church youth groups, currently in development for publication through the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
• Co-edited 1 congregational guide to "green practices (available at www.webofcreation.org)
• 2 students graduated with a masters degree emphasis in religion and science
• 4 have taught at colleges and seminaries
• 3 have served as ministers, and 1 as a church intern
• 1 has worked as a research technician in University of Chicago

Society member George Tsakiridis speaks at the closing banquet for the ZCRS/Zygon Journal symposium in honor of Arthur Peacocke (February 2007).