EPS Symposia

Symposia occur 5-6 times each year as a gathering moment for postgraduate students and staff to discuss a range of topics and ideas.

The purpose of symposia is to 'help postgrads and staff flourish in their workplaces and see how all knowledge finds its fullness in Christ.'

The Next Symposium:

Contributing to your field in the light of the gospel | 12–1pm June 22 | In Person and Online

Have you ever asked yourself

  • What is the relationship between Christ's work and our work?
  • How might academics serve God’s creation and point people to Christ?
  • How does one actually engage in their academic work as a Christian?
  • What does the integration of faith and scholarship mean?
  • What are some key theological building blocks that enable this integration?

In this symposium, Chris Watkins will help us consider what it looks like to be a Christian in scholarship, and how the gospel shapes the way we work. We will consider the theological foundations of an evangelical approach to the academic vocation. 

 

Our Presenter: Chris Watkin
Chris Watkin grew up in Yorkshire and now lives in Melbourne with his wife and family. He lectures in French and Literary Studies at Monash University where his research focuses on God, humanity and society in contemporary French philosophy. In February 2021 he will begin a four-year Australian Government funded research project entitled ‘Rewriting the Social Contract‘. In addition to publishing academic books in French philosophy he seeks to bring philosophy and theology into conversation in volumes like Thinking Through Creation: Genesis 1 and 2 as Tools of Cultural Critique, and introductions to Derrida, Foucault and Deleuze in the P&R ‘Great Thinkers’ series. He keeps a blog about theology, philosophy and culture at thinkingthroughthebible.com. 

 

Previous Symposia

  • Faith in Science: Living Well as a Christian in Science (with Dr Liz New (Chemistry), Dr Peter Kim (Maths), and Dr Luke Barnes (Physics))
  • Justice (with Jacob Sarkodee from International Justice Mission)
  • Doctrine of Creation (with Murray Smith from Christ College, Sydney)
  • History (with Dr Meredith Lake, award winning author of The Bible in Australia and presenter for ABC Radio)
  • Mental Health Seminar (with Leissa Aitken, clinical psychologist and PhD candidate)
  • The Ethics of Technology (with Rev Dr Andrew Sloane from Morling College. Sydney)
  • Everyday Peacemaking (with Bruce Burges from PeaceWise)
  • Mental Health (with Rev Dr Keith Condie (PhD Sydney) from ADM Mental Health and Pastoral Care Institute)
  • Prayer and Academia (with Rev Dr Mark Earngey from Moore Theological College)
  • November 14 – Conflicts of Interest (with Prof Liam Semler (English), Dr Sophie Lewis (CPC), Stephanie Dunk (PhD candidate Business School), Tori Grimes (University Development Office) and Kellia Chiu (PhD candidate Pharmacy))
  • Theological Anthropology & Genre (with Rev Dr Michael Jensen from St Mark's Church Darling Point)
  • Mental Health & COVID-19 (with Dr Jenny Brown from The Family Systems Insititute)
  • Teaching Symposium (with Prof Liam Semler, Dr Di Warren, and Dr Jennifer E. Nicholson)
  • Navigating Difficult Relationships in the Academic World (with Lauren Errington, incoming Exectuive Director of The Family Systems Insititute)