Bible and Contemporary World Postgraduate Conference
The St Andrews Postgraduate Conference in Bible, Theology and Contemporary Questions provides an opportunity for postgraduate researchers and the wider academic community to explore the ways biblical and theological scholarship intersects with contemporary questions.
The programme brings together diverse approaches to biblical interpretation, theology, culture, the arts, vocation, lived religion, media, technology and contemporary life. The conference is designed not only as a venue for presenting research but also as a space for conversation, experimentation, work in progress, and the formation of scholarly and professional relationships.
Conference programme
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Orientation and student-centred conversation
9am to 9.30am
Welcome and framing
Venue: Lecture Room 2 in St Mary's College
Chair: Dr Caleb FroehlichAn opening welcome and introduction to the conference, its themes, and the community of postgraduate researchers gathered in St Andrews. Coffee, tea and biscuits will be served.
9.30am to 11am
Panel 1: Theological imagination, culture and artistic mediation
Venue: Parliament Hall
Chair: Dr Caleb Froehlich- Maxwell Bennett (MPhil student) Creation, community, and the fall: wisdom from Wendell Berry
- Veronica Rizk (MLitt student) Rendering the sacred near: artistic strategies of familiarisation in depicting saints
Discussion
- Hannah Spitler (B&CW alumna) Recovery and formation through the fairy stories of J.R.R. Tolkien and Hayao Miyazaki
- Grace Goldman (PhD candidate) The Gospel and the Grimms: virtue and Christian narrative
Discussion
11am to 11.15am
Break
Venue: Lecture Room 2 in St Mary's College
11.15am to 12.45pm
Panel 2: Theology, vocation and practice
Venue: Parliament Hall
Chair: Maxwell Bennett- Jonathan Fortnam (MLitt student) Missio Dei in the everyday
- Spencer Davidson (B&CW alumnus, online) Work as public theology, angels as public theologians: a preliminary
- Tom Poynor (B&CW alumnus) Train your eyes to follow along the beam of light: a Dantean path of failure and discovery thanks to medical ethics
Extended discussion
12.45pm to 2pm
Lunch break
Participants are welcome to arrange informal group lunches.
2pm to 3.15pm
Research clinics: work-in-progress conversations
Venues: Lecture Room 3, Lecture Room 2, Seminar Room 3 and College Hall
The research clinics provide an opportunity for participants to discuss dissertation ideas, research projects, publications and vocational questions in small groups with faculty and invited researchers.
Facilitators:
- Dr Caleb Froehlich
- Sofia Howard
- Dr Tamara Knudson
- Dr Doren Snoek
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Depth, practice and lived theology
9am to 10.15am
Keynote Address
Venue: Old Library
Chair: Dr Caleb FroehlichProfessor Trevor Hart What in the world does the Bible have to do with the contemporary world?
10.15am to 10.30am
Break
Venue: Lecture Room 2 in St Mary's College
10.30am to 12 noon
Panel 3: Reading practices: text, context, interpretation
Venue: Parliament Hall
Chair: Sofia Howard- Noah Langston (PhD candidate) Lovecraft, horror and Biblical reading
- Luis Oceguera (MLitt student) ‘I Set Before You Life and Death’: DAMN.’s reversible structure and the Deuteronomic choice
Discussion
- Jessica Varghese (B&CW alumna) Scripture as contemporary Word of God: a Biblical critique
- Mattie E Motl (PhD candidate) Paul and the Broic (Red) pill-osophers: reading Paul in conversation with the rise of stoicism in the digital manosphere
Discussion
12 noon to 1.30pm
Lunch break
Participants are welcome to arrange informal group lunches.
1.30pm to 3pm
Panel 4: Embodiment, practice and lived theology
Venue: Parliament Hall
Chair: Dr Doren Snoek- Lucy Bunce (B&CW alumna) The distinctive diaconate in the contemporary Church of England
- Dr Victoria Costa Music and lived theology
- Elspeth Manders (PhD candidate) Reading the Metal Bible: Christian Metal as lived religion
Discussion
3pm to 3.15pm
Break
Venue: Lecture Room 2 in St Mary's College
3.15pm to 4.30pm
Panel 5: Reading scripture between Academy and Church: a conversation
Venue: Senior Common Room
Chair: Dr Madison Pierce- Sam Draper (PhD candidate) Opening reflection
- Rainer Thiessen (PhD candidate) Response and expansion
Conversation and audience discussion
6pm to 8pm
Optional group dinner
Venue: Nando’s
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Religion, media and contemporary life
9am to 10.30am
Panel 6: Theology, media and contemporary culture
Venue: Parliament Hall
Chair: Dr Nina Maksimova- Carmen Lau (MLitt student) Nothing to hide, everything to imitate: privacy and rivalry in a surveillance age
- Lee Hudson Teslik (MLitt student) Hypervisibility and bystanderism
Discussion
- Amelia Jarvis (MPhil student) Postsecular attitudes in video games
- Dr Ethan Knudson A Biblical scholar’s reflections on GenAI
Discussion
10.30am to 10.45am
Break
Venue: Lecture Room 2 in St Mary's College
10.45am to 12 noon
Keynote address
Venue: Old Library
Chair: Dr Caleb FroehlichDr Siobhán Jolley Reading the Magdalene otherwise: contemporary art and liberative meaning-making
12 noon to 12.30pm
Closing plenary conversation: looking back, looking forward
Venue: Senior Common Room
Chair: Dr Caleb FroehlichA final opportunity to reflect on the conference, draw together themes from the week, and consider possibilities for future research and collaboration.
Post-conference B&CW orientation and community programme
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Orientation and community
2pm to 3.30pm
Technical session 1
Venue: Bute Computer Lab
An introduction to the new online format of the Bible and Contemporary World programme, including:
- introduction to the new online modules for Semester 1: DI5915 Bible and Contemporary Issues (30 credits) and DI5911 Research in Divinity (15 credits)
- the new ABC learning approach: how readings, short video lectures, reflective activities, discussion and creative tasks work together
- online participation: what to expect from an interactive online learning environment and how students will engage with one another throughout the modules
- getting started: practical time to explore the online environment and ask questions
4pm to 5pm
Walking tour of St Andrews
Start venue: Holm Oak, St Mary’s Quad
A walking tour introducing participants to St Andrews and its history, led by Dr Bess Rhodes.
6pm to 8pm
East Sands beach gathering
An informal evening of food, conversation and fellowship at East Sands.
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Scripture, tradition and research
9am to 10.15am
Dissertation conversation Session 1
Venue: Seminar Room 3
An informal conversation with current dissertation students about supervision, research development and the dissertation process.
10.15am to 10.30am
Break
10.30am to 11.30am
Dissertation conversation Session 2
Venue: Seminar Room 3
Further discussion of research planning, academic pathways and dissertation expectations.
11.30am to 11.45am
Break
11.45am to 12.30pm
Technical Session 2 and Open Support Session
Venue: Bute Computer Lab
Follow-up technical support and practical guidance, including:
- the MMS and Moodle systems
- University email assistance
- citation conventions and academic support
- library online resources
12.30pm to 2pm
Lunch
2pm to 3.30pm
Visit to Holy Trinity Church
An introduction to the church's copy of the King James Bible, its stained-glass windows, and the history of Holy Trinity Church, led by Professor Ian Bradley.
3.45pm to 5pm
Cathedral Ruins Chant Session
Venue: St Andrews Cathedral Ruins
A session of medieval chant led by Victoria Costa, Camero Shippee and members of the University Music Centre.
5pm to 6.30pm
Free time
6.30pm to 8.30pm
Optional group dinner
Venue: Jahangir
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Reflection and departure
9am to 10am
Closing coffee and informal conversation
An opportunity to reflect on the week, exchange contact information and discuss next steps in study and research.
10am onwards
Optional excursions and departures
Participants may choose to explore St Andrews and the surrounding area, including nearby coastal villages, or make arrangements for departure.
Practical information
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The conference takes place across several venues within St Mary's College and the surrounding University buildings. A digital map showing the conference venues and key locations will be provided.
- Parliament Hall was the meeting place for the Scots Parliament from 1645 to 1646. The hall is situated in St Mary’s College, in St Mary’s Quadrangle. In the quadrangle, there is a large holm oak tree which is around 275 years old, and a thorn tree supposedly planted by Mary Queen of Scots in the sixteenth century. Parliament Hall has disabled access.
- Lecture Room 2 (T205) is a modern teaching space in the historic St Mary’s College quadrangle, home to the School of Divinity. The room is centrally located in St Andrews and provides a contemporary teaching environment in the College’s sixteenth-century setting. Lecture Room 2 is located upstairs and is accessed up the spiral staircase.
- Old Library (Psychology Old Library, Room 2) is used for the keynote addresses. The Psychology Old Library is located on the top floor of the Victorian-era Psychology Building, inside St Mary's Quad on South Street.
Conference map
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For full travel information, including information about travelling by car and other transport options, please see the University of St Andrews' travel information webpage.
By rail
St Andrews does not have a railway station. The nearest railway station is Leuchars, approximately six miles from St Andrews. From Leuchars, St Andrews is approximately 15 minutes by bus, taxi or car.
Leuchars is served by trains on the Edinburgh-Dundee and Edinburgh-Aberdeen routes. If travelling by train, take a service from Edinburgh towards Dundee or Aberdeen and get off at Leuchars.
The station is also served by the LNER network, providing direct connections from London and other locations including York, Darlington, Newcastle and Berwick-upon-Tweed. The Caledonian Sleeper also provides an overnight service between London Euston and Leuchars.
For those travelling from Edinburgh Airport, Edinburgh Gateway provides a rail connection to Leuchars.
By bus
Stagecoach East Scotland runs regular bus services connect St Andrews with Leuchars, Dundee, Edinburgh, Edinburgh Airport and other destinations across Scotland.
- Leuchars to St Andrews: the Stagecoach 99 service runs between St Andrews and Dundee through Leuchars approximately every 15 minutes during the day. The journey between St Andrews and Leuchars takes around 15 minutes.
- Edinburgh to St Andrews: Stagecoach services X58, X59 and X60 connect St Andrews with Edinburgh. The journey takes approximately two hours.
- Edinburgh Airport to St Andrews: the Stagecoach 787 service provides a direct connection between Edinburgh Airport and St Andrews.
For current timetables, routes and fares, please check Stagecoach East Scotland – Fife buses before travelling.
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Participants are responsible for arranging and paying for their own accommodation in St Andrews.
Accommodation can be limited during busy periods, so we recommend booking as early as possible.
The University of St Andrews provides information about accommodation options, including hotels, guesthouses, bed and breakfasts, and other visitor accommodation on their Accommodation in St Andrews page.
If you are attending the conference and need accommodation, please arrange your booking directly with your chosen provider.
Meals and Refreshments
Tea, coffee, soft drinks, and biscuits will be available during conference breaks in the Senior Common Room.
Lunches are not provided as part of the conference programme. Participants are welcome to arrange informal group lunches or make their own arrangements.Group Dinners
There will be opportunities to join optional group dinners during the conference and the wider B&CW programme. Dinner costs are not included in the conference programme and will be paid by participants.
Tuesday 1 September | 6pm to 8pm
Nando's, St Andrews
An optional group dinner for conference participants.Thursday 3 September | 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Jahangir, St Andrews
An optional group dinner primarily intended for B&CW students and others remaining in St Andrews after the conference.Places at the group dinners will need to be confirmed in advance. Further information about how to sign up, including meal selections and costs, will be provided to participants.
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The conference takes place across several University buildings, and accessibility varies between venues.
Parliament Hall is at ground level and has disabled access. It is accessed from South Street, near the School of Divinity entrance, just a short distance along South Street towards the Cathedral.
Lecture Room 2 and the Old Library are accessed using stairs.
If you have mobility requirements or other access needs that may affect your participation in a particular session or activity, please contact us in advance. We will do our best to arrange an appropriate alternative or make other reasonable adjustments.
Some of the optional social and community activities also take place outdoors or in historic buildings, and accessibility may vary.
For accessibility questions or to discuss specific requirements, please email divinityonline@st-andrews.ac.uk.
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For questions about the conference or programme, please contact:
Dr Caleb Froehlich
Director, Bible and Contemporary World – Online
School of Divinity, University of St Andrews