Cosmos and Human Health
Annual symposium at the cross-faculty Centre for Science and Faith
This time, the symposium will move from the view of the physical cosmos (far) out there to everyday health (inside) ourselves. This will take place through short lectures, panels and debates.
The morning will be devoted to physics and cosmology and will be opened by the internationally renowned Gregor of Nyssa researcher, Guilio Maspero, who is also a physicist. This will be followed by debates on faith and humanism between the two Fynbo's: Johan and Hans, both professors of physics and identical twins, but with very different views on life. Oslo physicist Sverre Holm will talk about resonance (experiences) in physics, and theologian/physicist Pui Him Ip will look at the intersections between Bohr's quantum mechanics and philosophical theology.
In the afternoon, the focus will be on the relationship between health and spirituality. Associate professor and midwife Christina Prinds will talk about the existential dimension of childbirth. Afterwards, leading international researcher and paediatrician Ola Saugsted, together with senior consultant in paediatrics Vibeke Brix Christensen, will examine how passion can be the driving force behind work with childhood diseases. Doctor and postdoc Tobias Anker Stripp will round off the day by talking about the mystery of death, which is both very physical and yet completely beyond what we can describe with science.
| 08.45-09.00 | Coffee and refreshments |
| 09.00-09.15 | Welcome and introduction to CVT. Profs. Per Sangild, Niels Henrik Gregersen |
| 09.15-09.50 | Giulio Maspero, professor, Physics & Theology, Rome: Relationality in Physics and Theology |
| 09.50-10.25 |
Johan Fynbo and Hans Fynbo, professors, Niels Bohr Institute, UCPH and Physics, Aarhus University: Science without Religion? Religion without Science? |
| 10.25-10.40 | Coffee/tea break |
| 10.40-11.05 | Pui Him Ip, postdoc, Faraday Institute of Science and Religion, Cambridge, UK: Niels Bohr and quantum theology |
| 11.05-11.40 | Sverre Holm, professor, Physics, Oslo: An imagined science-religion conflict: The testimony from physicists |
| 11.40-12.15 | Panel discussion - lead by Jens Pepke Pedersen, DTU-Space): The big questions |
| 12.15-13.00 | Lunch break |
| 13.00-13.30 |
Christina Prinds, Ass. professor Midwifery, University of Southern Denmark: Birth as a scientific, existential and/or spiritual event? |
| 13.30-14.00 |
Vibeke Brix Christensen, MD, ass. prof. Rigshospital/Doctors without Borders: Passion, science and faith in work for undernourished children |
| 14.00-14.15 |
Coffee/tea break |
| 14.15-14.50 |
Ola Saugstad, professor of Pediatrics, Oslo, Norway: Birth, breathing and passion for saving newborn life |
| 14.50-15.15 |
Tobias Stripp, Postdoc, MD, Centre for Science and Faith, UCPH: Death as scientific, existential and/or spiritual event? |
| 15.15-15.50 |
Panel discussion, Ph.D. Søren Kjær Bruun, Lead Chaplain, Rigshospital, Copenhagen: Science and faith in health institutions? |
| 15.50-16.00 |
Niels Henrik Gregersen, Per Sangild, Johan Fynbo, CVT: Concluding remarks |
Sign up for onsite attendance
Register for onsite attendance
Registration closes on 18 October 2025.
If you attend in person, CVT will provide refreshments and sandwiches for lunch.
Sign up for online attendance
Register for online attendance
Registration closes on 18 October 2025.
Questions can be directed to ebn@teol.ku.dk.