Professor Tom McLeish was one of the most outstanding physicists of his generation and a thought leader in developing a theology of science. This was embodied when he was appointed to to chair in Natural Philosophy. As an inveterate interdisciplinarian, he delighted in all human enquiry after truth, whether it be theoretical physics, ancient scriptures, philosophy, literature or art. There was, however, an overarching framework for this capacious vision which gave him confidence and purpose: creation. The claim that the cosmos is created carries some fundamental implications. It is not a brute fact nor a purposeless machine but has a transcendent origin and purpose. A divine agency lies at the beginning and end of all things, framing the cosmos and opening it to creative and rational exploration by the arts, the natural sciences, philosophy, and theology.
Professor McLeish died in 2023 at the age of 60.
The Centre for Creation and Natural Philosophy seeks to realise Professor McLeish’s interdisciplinary vision for the reintegration of natural science and the Humanities within a theological framework. Key to the method of achieving this, is to take the model of Professor McLeish’s own career pathway. That is the embedding of the expertise and experience of research science into a world leading theological research community. This embedding can happen through virtual seminars but is more effective by in person participation by spending a period of time within a Centre such as this. The results of such embedding may be publications, new interdisciplinary projects or postgraduate study and qualification in theology.
This pilot grant would allow foundations for this future work to be laid.
