Extinction and Biodiversity: Public Panel Discussion

Extinction is a big and sometimes overwhelming topic. It’s hard to get our brains around the scope of extinction in geological time, and to make sense of human responsibility in the present.

Does God will species death?

Does buying organic food really make a difference?

Our panel of scientific and theological experts are ready to tackle whatever you want to ask, from the profound to the niggling. There are no silly questions as we explore the topic together in a spirit of openness and honesty.

This is a free, public event at the Church of the Holy Name on Manchester’s Oxford Road.

The event will start at 5.30pm and finish by 7pm, on Tuesday 11 June.

To register, email eclas.admin@durham.ac.uk.

Our speakers include:

Bishop David Walker, Bishop of Manchester

Bishop David is an ambassador for the place of faith and belief in public life, working with the leaders of other faiths and Christian denominations. David is a member of the National Safeguarding Steering Group of the Church of England.

He acts as International Visitor for the Society of Ordained Scientists.

David’s most recently published theological writings are grouped around the phenomenon of occasional church goers, and includes his recent book God’s Belongers.  He also retains a longstanding involvement in Social Housing. 

Prof Sadiah Qureshi, University of Manchester

Sadiah is a Professor in Modern British History at the University of Manchester. She is currently writing a book provisionally entitled Vanished: Episodes in the History of Extinction, for Penguin Random House. She also co-chaired the Royal Historical Society’s Race, Ethnicity & Equality Working Group and co-authored the society’s landmark report on racial inequalities in UK HE in 2018, and recently contributed to the Museums Association’s national guidance on Supporting Decolonisation in Museums (2021)

Revd Prof Charlotte Sleigh, UCL

Charlotte is a Professor in the Department of Science and Technology at UCL and a researcher for ECLAS.

She is a former president of the British Society for the History of Science, and is currently a self-supporting curate in the parish of St Martin and St Paul, Canterbury. She is the author of eight books including Human (Reaktion, 2020, with Dr Amanda Rees) and God’s Green Book (SPCK, 2010, with Bryony Webb).

Prof Colin Beale, University of York

Colin is Professor of Ecology and Conservation at the University of York where he specialises in spatial ecology, ornithology and conservation biology, often in East Africa. He is a trustee of A Rocha UK.

Mick Oliver, Natural England

Mick is Principal Specialist at Natural England where he leads cross-organisational strategic thinking that aims to put nature restoration at the heart of conservation, politics, development and public life. He is also a trustee of Operation Noah, a Christian climate change charity.