Uncertainty Malvern Science and Faith Weekend 2017

Malvern’s Annual Festival of Ideas

Science—Philosophy—Politics—Economics—Theology

3-5 March 2017, Malvern, Worcestershire

Malvern Science and Faith Weekend is a

multidisciplinary and inclusive Festival of

Ideas on what matters. The theme for the

2017 Weekend is Uncertainty. There are

practical aspects to the theme which are

reflected in the different sessions. These

include Science, Philosophy, Economics,

Politics and Faith perspectives. The speakers

at the 2017 Malvern Science and Faith

Weekend will address the topic of

Uncertainty from their own standpoints, and

the accompanying discussions and activities

will allow participants to follow up their own

interests within this overall theme.

The art and science activity day for children is

an essential part of the Weekend. This year,

it includes maths workshops and rock guitar

physics show as well as science

demonstrations and art activities.

There is no charge for entry to events at

Malvern Science and Faith Weekend, though

there are considerable expenses. As in

previous years, we will ask at each event for

your donations towards those costs.

Welcome Welcome to the 2017 Malvern Faith and Science Weekend,

which offers a wonderful opportunity to become better informed and to engage through talks, discussion and other activities, in open dialogue on matters of key importance to us all as human beings. The theme this year is Uncertainty, describing situations in which we have incomplete and unreliable knowledge. Exploring this theme from diverse perspectives including Psychology, Mathe-matics, Physics, Politics and Economics, Philosophy and Theology will certainly educate us and hopefully inspire us to action. I rec-ommend the weekend with great enthusiasm.

Sir Anthony Seldon

Refreshments

Refreshments will be available at many

of the venues. Buffet lunches must be

booked in advance—see event descrip-

tions.

Booking

Booking for the events is strongly recom-

mended. This can be done via the web-

site or Eventbrite or by telephone. De-

tails are found below.

Contact and booking details

Website: www.scienceandfaith.org.uk

Booking: msf2017.eventbrite.com

Facebook: facebook.com/

malvernscienceandfaithweekend

Twitter: @MalvernSF

Email: info@scienceandfaith.org.uk

Telephone: 01684 565708

Front cover

Detail from Cape Cod Morning,1950 by

Edward Hopper

Islam in a Time of Uncertainty

Professor Tariq Ramadan

Tariq Ramadan is a Swiss academic, philosopher and writer. He is Professor of

Contemporary Islamic Studies at Oxford University (Oriental Institute, St Antony’s

College) and also teaches at the Oxford Faculty of Theology. He is Visiting Profes-

sor at the Faculty of Islamic Studies, (Qatar) and the University of Malaysia Perlis.

Through his writings and lectures Tariq has contributed to the debate on the is-

sues of Muslims in the West and Islamic revival in the Muslim world. He is active

at academic and grassroots levels lecturing extensively throughout the world on

theology, ethics, social justice, ecology and interfaith as well intercultural dia-

logue. He is President of the European think tank: European Muslim Network

(EMN) in Brussels. His books include Islam and the Arab Awakening (2012); The

Arab Awakening: Islam and the New Middle East (2012); and The Quest for Mean-

ing, Developing a Philosophy of Pluralism (2010). He addresses the Weekend on

Islam in a time of uncertainty.

Islam in a Time of Uncertainty - Political and Theological Reflections

Professor Tariq Ramadan

7.30pm to 9.30pm Friday 3rd March 2017

The Chase School, Geraldine Road, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR14 3NZ

Saturday 4th March 2017

The Chase School, Geraldine Road, Malvern,

Worcestershire, WR14 3NZ

10.00am to 11.00am Controlling Uncertainty

Magda Osman

11.30am to 12.30pm

Quantum Uncertainty

Brian Clegg

1.00pm to 2.00pm Lunch

2.00pm to 3.00pm

Nothing

Frank Close

3.30pm to 4.30pm

What We Cannot Know

Marcus du Sautoy

Science of Uncertainty

Tea and Coffee will be provided during the morning and afternoon sessions. For

those people attending both the morning and afternoon sessions a buffet lunch

will be available. Lunch must be booked via the website or telephone.

Malvern Book Co-operative is providing a bookstall on Saturday and Sunday. They

will be offering books for sale by speakers at the whole of the Malvern Science

and Faith Weekend.

Dr Magda Osman

Magda Osman is Senior Lecturer in

Experimental Cognitive Psychology at

Queen Mary University of London and

leads the Dynamic Learning & Decision

Making Laboratory, which addresses

such questions as: How to make deci-

sions in order to plan for the future?

How do we make decisions under dy-

namic uncertainty? and Do we really

make decisions unconsciously? She is

author of three books including Con-

trolling Uncertainty: Decision Making

and Learning in Complex Worlds, which

reviews and discusses the most current

research relating to the ways we can

control the uncertain world around us.

She has advised various institutions,

including the Bank of England and the

House of Lords. Her presentation will

address how people make decisions

and learn to adapt their behaviour in

complex dynamic environments.

Science of Uncertainty

Brian Clegg

Brian Clegg is an award-winning British

science writer and public speaker who

has written over 20 popular science

books on topics including light, infinity,

quantum entanglement and surviving

the impact of climate change, and

biographies of Roger Bacon and

Eadweard Muybridge. He is a regular

speaker and has spoken at a range of

venues, from Oxford and Cambridge

universities to the Dana Centre at

London's Science Museum. His book A

Brief History of Infinity was launched

with a sell-out lecture at the Royal

Institution in London. He is also a

regular contributor to both radio and

TV programmes and writes regular

columns, features and reviews for

numerous magazines and newspapers.

His books include Ecologic, A Brief

History of Infinity and Dice World.

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Professor Frank Close

Frank Close is a particle physicist, au-

thor and speaker. He is Professor of

Physics at the University of Oxford and

a Fellow of Exeter College, Oxford. He

was formerly vice president of the

British Association for Advancement of

Science, Head of the Theoretical Phys-

ics Division at the Rutherford Appleton

Laboratory and Head of Communica-

tions and Public Education at CERN. He

is the author of several books, includ-

ing the best-selling Antimatter, and the

winner of the Kelvin Medal of the Insti-

tute of Physics for his "outstanding

contributions to the public understand-

ing of physics." In 2013, he was award-

ed the Michael Faraday Prize by the

Royal Society of London for "excellence

in communicating science to UK audi-

ences". In his presentation, he talks

about Nothing.

Science of Uncertainty

Professor Marcus Du Sautoy

Marcus Du Sautoy FRS OBE is the

Charles Simonyi Professor for the

Public Understanding of Science at the

Oxford University. He was made a

Fellow of the Royal Society in 2016. In

2001 he won the prestigious Berwick

Prize of the London Mathematical

Society awarded every two years to

reward the best mathematical research

made by a mathematician under 40. In

2009 he was awarded the Royal

Society’s Faraday Prize, the UK’s

premier award for excellence in

communicating science. He also

received the London Mathematical

Society Zeeman Medal for 2014 for

promotion of mathematics to the

public. He is author of numerous

academic articles and books on

mathematics. He addresses the

Weekend on What We Cannot Know.

Uncertainty, Societies and Economies

There will be an interval of 20 minutes for refreshments

7.30pm to 9.30pm Saturday 4th March 2017,

St Matthias Church, Church Road, Malvern, WR14 1NP

Professor Peter Taylor-Gooby

Peter Taylor-Gooby OBE is Professor of Social Policy at the

University of Kent. He is internationally noted for his work

on new social risks, an area of study he helped create and

develop. He has led major European and UK Research

Programmes and has advised the UK government and

European governments in relation to welfare reform and

building public trust. He has had considerable influence

on the study of social and public policy in the UK and in-

ternationally. He participated in the Prime Minister's No

10 'progressive consensus' Round Table and was an Advisor to the Prime Minister's

Strategy Unit 2009–10. He deals with problems of trust, conflict and tax-evasion in

his novels The Baby Auction and Ardent Justice. His presentation will address inse-

curity in a globalised world, in which social divisions are growing ever deeper and

our trust in experts, politicians and the capacity of government to manage the

economy and our national life is in decline.

Dr Mark Flood

Mark D. Flood is a financial economist and a Research

Principal in the Office of Financial Research in the U.S.

Treasury. He studied finance, and German and economics

at Indiana University in Bloomington. In 1990, he earned

his Ph.D. in finance at the University of North Carolina at

Chapel Hill. He has taught finance at universities in the

U.S. and Canada, and worked as a financial economist at

the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Office of Thrift Su-

pervision, Federal Housing Finance Board, and Federal

Housing Finance Agency. He was a founding member of the Committee to Estab-

lish a National Institute of Finance. His research focuses on financial data and risk

analysis. His areas of interest include risk management, financial institutions, capi-

tal markets, and financial data and software.

Not Quite Sure - Workshops—Art—Science—Crafts—Demonstrations—Rock Music

10am to 4pm Saturday 4th March 2017 Holly Mount URC, Queens Drive, Great Malvern, WR14 4RE

Admission free, Booking for workshops and show essential

MURDEROUS MATHS WORKSHOPS

CRAFT ACTIVITIES & GAMES

A selection of Uncertain Crafts to make,

Puzzles and Games brought to you by Holly

Mount Arts.

Activities for all ages

These take place throughout the day.

Join Murderous

Maths author,

Kjartan Poskitt

for a Murderous

Hour of puzzles,

trivia, tricks and

challenges.

Three Workshops:

Murderous Maths Magic

Murderous Maths Numbers

The Space Show

Workshops at 11am, 1pm and 3pm

Plus book-signing sessions

Maths has never been so much fun!

Activities for Young People

Join science presenter Jon Wood

for his entertaining science

workshops:

I Think I’m Sure

Bubble Science

Workshops at 10am and 2pm

SCIENCE WORKSHOPS

CAFÉ

Enjoy refreshments at Café

Numérique – tea, coffee, soft

drinks and a fabulous selection

of cakes and Numerical Bis-

cuits.

Served throughout the day.

Timetable—at a glance

10am Jon Wood: I Think I’m Sure

11am Kjartan Poskitt: Magic

12noon Mark Lewney: Future

1pm Kjartan Poskitt: Numbers

2pm Jon Wood: Bubble Science

3pm Kjartan Poskitt: Space

4pm Close

The Future Ain’t What It Used To Be

Described as a cross between Einstein and Jimi Hendrix, Mark Lewney delivers his amazing rock guitar physics show

– it’s about futurism and the physics of predicting the future, in

which Uncertainty plays a starring role.

Mark Lewney show at 12noon

Uncertainty in Politics 11.30am Sunday 5th March 2017, Holly Mount URC

Political Uncertainty in a Time of Radical Transformation

Ms Natalie Bennett

Natalie Bennett is a British politician and journalist who led the Green Party of England and Wales from September 2012 to September 2016. Born and raised in Australia, she began her career as a journalist with regional newspapers in New South Wales before leaving in 1995 for Thailand, where she worked for Australian Volunteers International and the Bangkok Post newspaper. Since settling in Britain in 1999 she has contributed to the Guardian, Independent and Times newspapers. Her election as leader of the

Greens came six years after she joined the party in January 2006. She addresses the Weekend in the theme of uncertainty from a political perspective.

Both the above events take place at Holly Mount URC, Queens Drive, Malvern

WR14 4RE. Lunch is provided. Please book lunch via website or telephone.

10am Sunday 5th March 2017, Holly Mount URC

Speaker: The Right Reverend Dr John Inge

John Inge is the Bishop of Worcester. He studied chemistry at university and began his career as a secondary school teacher. He trained for ordination at the College of the Resurrection, Mirfield, and during his ministry, he returned to Durham University for postgraduate study, completing his PhD in 2002. Bishop John provides leadership across the Diocese of Worcester and also has a number of specific national responsibilities and roles. He was introduced to the House of Lords in 2012, and has a particular interest in Culture and Heritage, International Development, and

Media and Communications. He comes to this Weekend to take part in our Act of Worship which, this year, is a Christian event. As with all Malvern Science & Faith events, any member of the public is welcome to attend regardless of faith. Bishop John will speak to the Weekend’s theme of Uncertainty.

Act of Worship

Personal and Spiritual Uncertainty Professor Frances Young

3pm-5pm Sunday 5th March 2017

Friends Meeting House, 1 Orchard Road, Malvern WR14 3DA

Professor Frances Young

Frances Margaret Young, OBE, FBA is a British theologian and Methodist minister.

She taught theology at the University of Birmingham from 1971, becoming the Ed-

ward Cadbury Professor and Head of the Department of Theology in 1986. During

her time at the University, she also served as Dean of the Faculty of Arts (1995–97)

and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (1997–2002). In 1984, she was ordained as a Methodist

minister, and has combined preaching in a local Circuit and pursuing her academic

career. In 1998, she was awarded an OBE for services to Theology and in 2004,

elected a Fellow of the British Academy. In 2005, she retired from the University. In

2005, she preached at the opening service of the Eighth General Synod of the

Church of England, the first Methodist and the first woman to preach at the five-

yearly inauguration ceremony. She has written academic and more popular theolog-

ical articles, drawing on her work on the New Testament and on Christianity in its

formative centuries, but also on her experience as the mother of Arthur, her son,

who was born with profound physical and mental disabilities. For this reason, she

worked on the theological and ecumenical dimensions of the L'Arche communities

with their founder, Jean Vanier.

Uncertainty: At a Glance

Malvern Science and Faith Weekend is organ-ised by Holly Mount United Reformed Church working with a small group of committed individuals in the community. Malvern Sci-ence and Faith Weekends began in 2012. Their success has led to the formation of a charitable trust, EngageMalvern, which is developing this and related work.

Updates on these proposals will be found on the Malvern Science and Faith webpage

(www.scienceandfaith.org.uk) and in the local Press.

The 2018 Malvern Science and Faith Weekend will be 2-4 March 2018.

Acknowledgements:

Supported by Malvern Town Council

3rd March

2017 7.30pm

Islam in a Time of Uncertainty

Tariq Ramadan Chase School

4th March

2017 10am to

1pm

Science of Uncertainty I

Magda Osman, Brian Clegg Chase School

4th March

2017 2pm to

5pm

Science of Uncertainty II

Frank Close, Marcus Du Sautoy Chase School

4th March

2017 7.30pm

Social and Economic Uncertainties Peter Taylor-Gooby, Mark Flood

St Matthias

4th March

2017 10am to

4pm

Not Quite Sure: Activities for Young People A

Day of Activities with Kjartan Poskitt, Mark

Lewney, Jon Wood

Holly Mount

5th March

2017 10am

Morning Worship with the Right Reverend Dr John Inge, Bishop of Worcester

Holly Mount

5th March

2017 11.30am

to 2pm

Uncertainty in Politics Natalie Bennett

Holly Mount

5th March 2017 3pm

Personal and Spiritual Uncertainty Frances Young

Friends Meeting

House