The Dialogue on Science, Ethics, and Religion (DoSER) program of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is seeking a planning grant to intentionally position the program to expand its work through greater engagement of diverse religious communities with science. This work is part of a multi-year strategic planning effort by DoSER to respond to changing religious landscapes, developing scientific advancements, and expanding engagement opportunities to broaden and deepen the science and religion dialogue.
Historically, the work of DoSER and the larger science and religion dialogue have primarily focused on engagement with Christian communities. However, as the US population becomes more religiously diverse and non-Christian faith perspectives become a larger (and younger) part of the population, it is imperative that this dialogue intentionally and meaningfully includes more diverse faith communities. Such engagement not only provides the opportunity for these communities to themselves more fully explore the big questions of life and meaning, but also enriches the science and religion dialogue as a whole by engaging the scientific community with diverse religious perspectives.
This grant will support a reflective and responsive process of outreach and co-development of projects with diverse religious communities. The initial focus will be on Muslim and Jewish communities, though we will also explore engagement with other faith communities, including Indigenous and Eastern traditions, and those who may identify as “spiritual but not religious.”
This grant will result in a strategic plan for DoSER’s engagement with diverse religious communities for the next 10+ years as well as the identification of at least one major project, with grant proposal to JTF and co-funders, focused on increasing the involvement of diverse faith communities and perspectives in conversations and projects at the intersection of science, ethics, and religion.
