The Albertus Institute
A vibrant and diverse community, exploring open dialogue between science, religion and other intellectual disciplines
About The Albertus Institute
The Albertus Institute was established in 2012 to provide a forum to encourage an open dialogue between science, religion and other forms of intellectual discipline. It also offers opportunities for Christians and, in particular, members of the Catholic Church to enter public debate on these matters.
The Institute is named after St Albert the Great (d.1280), often referred to as Albertus Magnus. Albert was a German Dominican friar and bishop who achieved fame for his comprehensive knowledge of and advocacy for the peaceful collaboration of science and religion.
The Institute is based at the Parish of St Albert the Great, the Catholic Chaplaincy which serves the universities of Edinburgh, Scotland.
The Institute has the support of the English Province of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans).
It is currently run by a Working Group comprising: Dr Sara Parvis (Chairman), Dr Elizabeth Drummond Young, Dr Bethany Sollereder and Fr Matthew Jarvis OP.
The Honorary President of the Institute is Fr Fergus Kerr OP, FRSE.
The Institute is registered as a Scottish charity (SCIO), number SC045760.
Coming Events
Coffee House
Wednesday 20th November, 6-8pm chaired by Fr David Docherty in the Library, 24 George Square.
Past Events
The Nuclear Debate:
Scottish Energy, Sustainability and Justice
Evolution and Theism: A Day Conference
Day Conference
March 23, 2024
Lecture from Dr Bethany Sollereder
(Genesis and Suffering)
Lecture from Fr Michael Baggot
(Beyond Natural Selection: The Human-Driven Future of Technological Evolution)
The Albertus Institute Annual Lecture
‘God in the Machine? Thoughts on AI, faith and religious experience’
January 24, 2024
Professor Michael Rostavos (Bayes Centre, University of Edinburgh) gave a lecture on ‘God in the Machine? Thoughts on AI, faith and religious experience’. The Martin Hall at New College in Edinburgh saw a large gathering of academics, students and members of the public to hear Professor Rovatsos present the recent evolution of AI and machine learning techniques and unpack how this poses new questions for religious understandings of the human person and society. Without glossing over the problematic dimensions of AI and its abuse, Professor Rovatsos offered personal insights and speculations on how God might be seen in these developments.
Modern Security
The changing face of conflict
Nov., 26, 2016
10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Appleton Tower
Faith and Cosmology
What are the implications for faith of the existence of extra terrestial beings?
How is the thesis of a multiverse compatible with belief in a creator- God?Â
And other challenging questions!
Nov., 15th, 2014
2:00 pm – 8:00 pm
New College Edinburgh
Thinking through Catholic Social Teaching
Sept., 24th, 2014
9:00 am – 11:00 am
Catholic Chaplaincy
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