The annual Russell Family Research Fellowship in Religion and Science brings internationally distinguished scholars in religion and science to the GTU. Since 1981, Russell Fellows have been in residence at CTNS/GTU every year to conduct research, teach doctoral and seminary courses and present public lectures at the GTU and at other San Francisco Bay Area locations.

The annual Russell Family Fellowship in Religion and Science was created in memory of John K. Russell (1896-1958). Mr. Russell, born of Italian immigrants, was an industrial engineer and humanitarian. In 2015, The J.K. Russell Research Fellowship in Religion and Science was renamed the Russell Family Fellowship in Religion and Science to honor the contributions of the Russell Family as a whole to this annual Fellowship.

Title: Finding Hope on a Warming Planet: a dialogue between an economist and a theologian

This presentation will present an ecological-economic and a theological-ethical analysis of the challenge of climate change.  What is the nature of science and faith today that has led to an increasing detachment from reality and morality?  The talk will explore how faith, science and related disciplines can be part of solving this crisis and promoting greater health in our social, intellectual and political life.

2024-25 Russell Family Research Fellows:

Richard B. Norgaard: Professor Norgaard is an economist by training (Chicago PhD 71) but his convictions stem from the beauty of nature’s intricate order. Seeing the Glen Canyon go under Reservoir Powell made him mad enough to become an economist. He joined Berkeley’s faculty in 1970 and has been an emeritus professor of Energy and Resources since 2013. He became a transdisciplinary scholar through research on domestic and international issues and service on numerous scientific committees including serving as the first chair of the State of California’s Delta Independent Science Board. He co-taught, with Robert Russell and Ted Peters, a course on environment and religion.

Dan Smith: Dan Smith is an ELCA pastor and theologian.  His doctoral work (GTU, 2013) aimed to develop a Lutheran theology of nature to address the climate crisis.  His academic and pastoral work has focused on ecological and ecumenical theology from a Lutheran perspective for the sake of the healing of the earth and care for its many creatures, ecosystems, and communities.  He has served as pastor of Lutheran Church of the Incarnation in Davis, CA since 2010.

This event is sponsored by the Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences (CTNS) at the Graduate Theological Union.