Stannard, Russell

Russell is Emeritus Professor of Physics and former Head of the Physics Department, Open University (UK). He is an author and lecturer recognized for popularizing science and for contributing to the understanding of science and religion. His books include Science and the Renewal of Belief, Grounds for Reasonable Belief, Doing Away With God?, Science and Wonders. He was awarded the OBE for ‘contributions to physics, the Open University, and the popularisation of science’ (1998); the Templeton Project Trust Award ‘for significant contributions to the field of spiritual values; in particular for contributions to greater understanding of science and religion’ (1986); and The Bragg Medal and Prize of the Institute of Physics for ‘distinguished contributions to the teaching of physics’ (1999). For most of his life Russell carried out research in high energy nuclear physics. This is the study of the ultimate structure of matter and the properties of space and time. The research involved working with the atom-smashing machines in Berkeley, California, and Geneva, Switzerland. In 1996, Russell devised and presented Science and Wonders, a series of five programs for BBC Radio 4, based on conversations he had with 40 scientists, philosophers, psychologists and theologians. It was voted the Number 1 Radio Achievement of the year by The Sunday Times. He has given many talks and lectures on science and religion. In 1996, at the request of the Archbishop of Canterbury, he and the Archbishop of York conducted an all-day seminar on science and religion for all 100 bishops of the Church of England. In 1999 Russell led a team of 50 scientists drawn from eight countries, writing newspaper articles aimed at reviewing how, at the dawn of the new millennium, we are to see religious belief in the light of modern science. It gave rise to a book, God for the 21st Century.