About us
The International Research Network for the Study of Science and Belief in Society (INSBS) supports the growth of high-quality international research examining the relationship between science and religion, in relation to cutting edge social issues and individuals’ lived experiences. The Network is based at the University of Birmingham, within the Science, Knowledge and Belief in Society Research Group.
We aim to foster research that examines any social or cultural aspect of Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths or Medicine (STEMM) in relation to any religious, spiritual or non-religious tradition, position or worldview, including unbelief.
The network will bring together and build links from researchers from a range of disciplines across the social sciences and humanities, including (but not limited to) sociology of religion, psychology of religion, science and technology studies, sociology of health/medicine, media and cultural studies, social anthropology, politics, the history and philosophy of science/religion and religious studies.
Areas of research interest:
- The social scientific and historical study of the relationship between science and religious and/or non-religious belief and identity;
- Public perceptions of the relationship between science, religion and non-religion and their respective roles in society;
- National and international comparative perspectives on the study of science, religion and belief in society;
- Past and present media or popular representations of science, religion and belief in society;
- The past or present roles of science, rationalism, religion and belief in national, social or cultural identity and related geopolitical narratives;
- Multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches to the study of science, religion and non-religion in society;
- Public policy research relating to any aspect of public policy that intersects with issues connected to science, religion and belief in society. Including studies on the impact of publics’ views on science and religion on policy making, and provision for religious, spiritual or non-religious communities across a range of geographies and issues (e.g. healthcare provision, educational policy, science policy, environmental policy or development);
- International studies of religious or spiritual communities’ perspectives on the intersection, and possible relationships, between science and religion over time.
Media Enquiries
If you work in the media and are interested in learning more about the network, contacting our researchers, or any other aspect in relation to the content of this website and our activities, please email A[dot]F[dot]Hall[at]bham[dot]ac[dot]uk.
