ISCAST’s 15th Biennial Conference on Science and Christianity

COSAC 2026Entangled Worlds: Seeking Understanding Through Faith and Science

6–8 November 2026 Melbourne, Australia
Hybrid Event In Person & Online
Register now See the program

About the Conference

A Space for Robust and Generous Dialogue

COSAC 2024 panel discussion COSAC 2024 audience and speaker

COSAC 2026 will explore the vibrant history and prospects of the dialogue between science and religion.

Scholars have long debated how science and faith meet. Some see them as fundamentally unintelligible to one another. Others see a deeply fruitful partnership where different approaches offer complementary insights into the nature of reality.

Today, new thinking is breathing fresh life into the field. Movements like “science-engaged theology” and work described as “after science and religion” are renewing the conversation. These developments reexamine old assumptions to connect rigorous scholarship with the lived experiences of churches, professionals, and the wider community.

The conference offers a space for robust, generous discussion. Whether you are a scholar, a church leader, an educator, or a curious layperson, this conference invites you to reflect on enduring questions:

01 How does our faith inform our understanding of the natural world?
02 How can scientific discovery enrich the life of the church?
03 In a fractured world, how can we foster a dialogue that is intellectually serious, pastorally attentive, and publicly engaged?

Supported by

We are very grateful to Catholic Theological College (a college of the University of Divinity) for its generous hospitality in hosting COSAC 2026 and for its support of the conference. We are also delighted to be presenting the Friday evening public lecture in partnership with Scots’ Church Melbourne.

Keynote Speakers

Meet the Speakers

Peter Harrison

Australia

Peter Harrison

Professorial Research Fellow, University of Notre Dame Australia

Nicola Hoggard Creegan

Aotearoa New Zealand

Nicola Hoggard Creegan

Director, New Zealand Christians in Science

Nick Spencer

United Kingdom

Nick Spencer

Senior Fellow, Theos; author of Magisteria

Paul Tyson

Australia

Paul Tyson

Philosophical theologian; author of A Christian Theology of Science

Read the full speaker biosWatch the speakers in conversation

Program

Three Days in Melbourne and Online

A Friday evening public lecture, then two days of keynote addresses and paper sessions. Saturday and Sunday are in person at Catholic Theological College and online via Zoom.

  • 4 keynote speakers
  • 30+ papers
  • 16 themed sessions

Friday 6 November · 7–9:30 p.m.

Public Lecture

Werner Brodbeck Hall, Melbourne CBD. In person only.

  • Peter HarrisonTalk and conversation
  • Nick SpencerTalk and conversation
  • James CarletonModerator

Saturday 7 November · 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

Keynotes and Papers

Two keynotes, a plenary session, and two rounds of paper sessions.

  • Nicola Hoggard CreeganEntangled Worlds: Science, Theology and the Disruption of Mātauranga Māori in Aotearoa
  • Peter HarrisonSeeking Understanding Through Faith—and Science?

Sunday 8 November · 9 a.m.–3 p.m.

Keynotes and Papers

Two keynotes, a plenary session, and two rounds of paper sessions.

  • Nick SpencerEntangled Humans: What Science Can (and Cannot) Tell Us About Ourselves
  • Paul TysonNo Conflict? Thomas Huxley’s Scientific Naturalism and the De-Christianisation of the West
See the full program

Registration

Registration Is Open

Choose the format that suits you.

In Person

Attend the whole conference in Melbourne

  • The Friday night public lecture
  • All keynote sessions, Saturday and Sunday
  • Your choice of concurrent paper sessions
  • Lunch and refreshments both days
  • Access to Saturday and Sunday recordings afterwards

Full conference

$285 member · $345 non-member

$75 student

Register to attend in person

Online

Join Saturday and Sunday from anywhere

  • All Saturday and Sunday sessions, online via Zoom
  • Access to Saturday and Sunday recordings afterwards
  • Does not include the Friday night public lecture

Saturday and Sunday

$150 member · $190 non-member

$40 student

Register to attend online

Public Lecture

Come to the Friday evening only

  • Keynotes from Nick Spencer and Peter Harrison
  • A conversation moderated by James Carleton of ABC Radio National
  • Q&A with the speakers
  • Supper included
  • In person only
  • Does not include the Saturday and Sunday sessions

Single ticket

$25 member · $35 general

$15 student

Presented in partnership with Scots’ Church Melbourne

Register for the lecture

All prices are in Australian dollars. Registration is subject to our refund and cancellation policy.

Venues

Getting Here

Friday 6 November, 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Werner Brodbeck Hall

156 Collins Street, Melbourne

View on Google Maps

Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November

Catholic Theological College

278 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne

View on Google Maps
Venue, travel and accommodation