Society for Religion, Science, and Technology Studies at Yale
Initiative in Religion, Science & Technology
Yale University Divinity School
New Haven, Connecticut
As a Local Societies Initiative grantee, beginning in 2006, the Initiative in Religion, Science & Technology (IRST) will reach beyond the Divinity School to promote exchange with scientific, technological, medical, ecological, theological, ethical professionals and pastoral services as a membership society. Current active members include faculty and students from the Divinity School, the Yale Interdisciplinary Bioethics Project, departments of religious studies, forestry, epidemiology and medicine, Yale clergy, faculty from nearby universities, and interested members of the greater New Haven community. The society will offer public lectures and small group dialogues featuring national authorities; a graduate/faculty forum, presenting works in progress on science-religion topics; programmed working groups focused on the production of original and collaborative academic works; and the development of a website into a comprehensive portal of resources for worldwide access. Subjects for consideration include areas such as consciousness and neuroscience, bioethics, and ecology. Outreach efforts invite participation from the Yale academic community and adjacent areas and institutions to increase and diversify society membership and potential for collaboration. Matching funds are provided by Yale Divinity School and the Initiative in Religion, Science & Technology.