2025 Scientists Network
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The European Science Network is committed to two main purposes: (1) Increase the praise of God the Creator-Saviour through what humans study and know in His creation (Col 1:16) and (2) Put scientific findings in the context of His Word so that what we know about His creation will not obfuscate our knowledge of Himself (2 Cor 10:5).
In order to achieve its purposes, the European Science Network is geared to serve two kinds of audiences: (1) Scientists and Christians interested in science will obtain the knowledge, language, and courage to do science and speak about science within the framework of a Bible-informed Christian understanding of the cosmos. (2) Christians of all backgrounds will be helped to understand and interact with scientific findings and claims in a way that is truly apologetic, integrating scientific facts into the Christian worldview in an affirmative, active way rather than only defensively and reactively. At the same time, the demarcation lines will be demonstrated between scientific facts and their interpretation by naturalistic vs. Christian worldviews. We do not shy away from sensitive subjects like the evolution debate and ethical implications, engaging in constructive, respectful discussions.
What Network Participants Are Saying
- "As a Christian and biochemist, I am deeply thankful for the opportunity to meet fellow scientists and benefit from biblical view on science. In my home, I have never met a fellow scientist who is a believer. Your generosity allowed me to meet and form new friendships in this field."
- Rahela Petrovcic, student, M. Sc. biochemistry, Slovenia - "Attending the Forum’s Scientists Network was an incredibly enriching experience, one that has broadened my horizons and expanded my knowledge in ways I could not have imagined. It has also had a profound impact on my personal and spiritual growth. The opportunity to interact with amazing professionals, researchers, and experts in the field of science has been invaluable. The Forum has provided a platform for me to learn about the latest advances, emerging trends, and cutting edge research on intelligent design, artificial intelligence, and neuroscience, all linked to God. The insights and knowledge I’ve gained will shape my future endeavors and enhance my contribution to my field."
- Dana Stanciu, Pharmacy Resident and PhD Student, Romania - "First, I am inspired by the example of other scientists who are part of the Forum’s Scientists Network. My motivation is strengthened and I am encouraged to continue to improve in my own work. The lectures and workshops provide great content and help keep my knowledge up to date. Finally, I have access to valuable resources like books and mentoring throughout the year."
- Ilona Simon, Assistant Professor, Hungary
Applicants should be involved in full-time scientific work or have a strong interest and background in the integration of science and Christianity. This Network will be led by Alexander Fink, Director of the Institute for Faith and Science, and Peter Imming, Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry in Germany.
*Note: Participants are strongly encouraged to view the talk "The 7 Best Arguments from Science for the Existence of God for Everybody to Understand" and to read the book “Cosmic Chemistry” by Prof. John Lennox. These give an introduction to some basic convictions the Scientists Network has and which cannot be presented every year.
Network Leadership
Network Speakers
Per Ewert is the director of The Clapham Institute, Sweden’s leading Christian think tank and research institute. His PhD describes the political process which shaped Sweden into the world's arguably most secular-individualistic nation. Per is the author of several books on apologetics,… Read more
Alexander Fink is Director of the Institute for Faith and Science (Institut für Glaube und Wissenschaft) in Marburg, Germany (www.iguw.de). He studied physics at Bayreuth and St. Andrews (UK) universities and received his PhD at the Institute for Biophysics at… Read more
Peter Imming received degrees in pharmacy and chemistry and a PhD and venia legendi in pharmaceutical chemistry from a German university. He has been involved in drug chemistry teaching and research in Germany, the UK, China, Ethiopia and other countries. Until retirement in 2025, he was head of… Read more
Peter Korevaar studied physics and astronomy at the University of Utrecht, Netherlands. In 1989, he acquired his PhD in astronomy on the topic of "Time-dependent models of stellar coronae". After two years at the University of Heidelberg, Germany, in 1991 Peter accepted a position at IBM. Since… Read more
Dr. Andrew Loke is an elected Fellow of the prestigious International Society for Science and Religion and Associate Professor in the Department of Religion and Philosophy at Hong Kong Baptist University. He has published seven monographs with world-leading academic publishers in the fields of… Read more
Andy McIntosh holds an Emeritus chair in Thermodynamics at the University of Leeds and is also an adjunct professor of Engineering at Liberty University in Virginia. He has had a long scientific research career concerning mathematics, combustion and aeronautics, both in academia and in a… Read more
Mihail Stefanov is the assistant pastor at Crossroad’s Church Sofia (crossroadchurch.bg) and the founder of Culture and People (cultureandpeople.eu) – an international consulting firm helping global business leaders transform the culture of their organizations. He has a deep passion for… Read more
Christina Stier is a neuroscientist passionate about brain imaging, mental and neurological disorders, lifespan research, and interindividual variability. She is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Münster, Germany, in a city with a lot of bicycle traffic. In 2022, she… Read more
Christopher Townsend chairs the editorial group of Cambridge Papers, a quarterly publication with the strapline ‘Towards a Biblical Mind’, which aims to help Christians engage with a complex and changing world (www.cambridgepapers.org). He wrote ‘… Read more
Fiona Weiss has always been fascinated by language and therefore studied German and Latin for teaching at the University of Marburg. She then decided to stay in academia and wrote a doctoral thesis in the field of neurolinguistics. In her dissertation, she developed a cognitive model for… Read more
Network Programme
Sunday, 18 May
Scientific apologetics strongly suggests that there is a Creator. Naturalist scientists deny God's existence by claiming that science alone can explain everything. This so-called scientism, however, has serious difficulties when trying to explain the universe's beginning and its manifold fine-tuning. Things get even worse when the fine-tuning of the laws of physics needs to be explained by chance alone, not to speak about life itself. This talk will give an overview of scientific apologetic arguments and how they can be used for defending your faith with reason and precision.
Monday, 19 May
Though human language is so complex, every child learns it automatically. How do children acquire language, and how is language processed cognitively? And what is language actually, and how does it differ from animal languages? In this talk, we will explore the fascinating world of human languages and communication and discover how our capacity for language and communication images our Creator.
The way the human voice works is a marvel of acoustic engineering, and each person’s voice is a unique outworking of this engineering. In this session, we will discuss the anatomy and physiology of the human throat and larynx. The shape of our vocal tract adds many harmonics to the sound we make. How have humans been designed to make sounds and further to combine words and music to sing, and what does this design tell us about the One whose voice spoke us into existence? We will consider how the uniqueness of the human voice points us to Christ, whose voice is supremely unique above all others. He who spoke and controlled the wind and waves will one day raise all from the graves (John 5:28, 29) with His voice.
Tuesday, 20 May
Many PhD students have a passion for academic research and teaching, and they would love to stay in academia, possibly becoming professors. Too often, however, they realise how many hindrances and unknown criteria appear on the way and give up. In this session, we will interview different committed Christian academics who are in various stages of their careers facing a vast array of questions, opportunities, and challenges. Through this, we will learn how a Christian can prepare well for an academic career.
Christian scientists need to be equipped to navigate a highly atheistic and intellectually rigorous environment by addressing common objections to their faith. By integrating apologetics with critical thinking, we can learn how to effectively dismantle defeater arguments that challenge Christian beliefs. This session will provide tools to confidently and thoughtfully defend the faith, enabling believers to engage with their sceptical peers while remaining rooted in both Scripture and sound reasoning. It's designed to strengthen the resolve of Christian scientists who face opposition in academic and professional spheres.
Wednesday, 21 May
This session will offer an overview of the ‘strange new world of gender’, its key ideas and its impact on society. We will look at the roots of ‘gender identity’ theory, the idea that sex is ‘assigned at birth’, the rise in the number of people identifying as trans or non-binary, the contested nature of medical care for gender-questioning patients, and the political struggles over ‘trans rights’. We will then consider several key biblical themes (perspectives on our physical bodies, sex, gender, identity, and suffering) and biblical attitudes (such as compassion, conviction, courage, and wisdom) which play a part in framing a Christian response.
The last session together will focus on what we have learned this week and how to apply it in our contexts. Participants will have an opportunity to share their thoughts with others for encouragement and feedback. This session will bring together the key points that have emerged across the four days with some curated time that will help embed key learnings at an individual and group level.