Forming a
Christian Mind
Events catalysing discipleship for Christian postgraduate students and post-doctoral researchers from across the UK and Europe
Events catalysing discipleship for Christian postgraduate students and post-doctoral researchers from across the UK and Europe.
Next Conference: 14 March 2026
This Gospel I Believe: Confidence and Crisis in the Christian Academic Mind
What is the relevance of the gospel, as clarified in the Reformation, for the work of Christian academics? It can seem that the gospel is true, but that it does not speak directly to the challenges faced by Christian academics in the modern world. But why is that, and how can Christian academics respond with clarity and confidence?
For our Spring conference, we have the honour of being joined by Prof Oliver O’Donovan and Dr Jared Michelson, who will argue that the way forward requires recovering the deep foundations of the evangelical tradition. The day will also feature field-specific responses and seminars from Prof John Wyatt, Dr Sarah Barnett, and Dr Edward Creedy.
Upcoming London Seminar: The Twofold Calling of Christian Academics
With Prof John Wyatt and Dr Richard Gunton
Tuesday 7 October 2025 | 6:30-9pm | UCL Torrington Place 1-19, Room 433 (WC1E 7HB)
London is a unique context with many universities but significant practical obstacles for mutual Christian support. We are delighted to be hosting termly mid-week evening seminars, with the aim of bringing together postgraduate students and postdoctoral researchers from across the city for mutual encouragement, as we think about our work and witness as Christians in academia.
We look forward to welcoming Prof John Wyatt and Dr Richard Gunton on Tuesday 7 October, at UCL Torrington Place 1-19, Room 433 (WC1E 7HB). All postgraduate students and early career academics are welcome to attend- sign ups are now live.
The London seminars will function as a central hub for the postgraduate prayer and study groups in London’s universities (supported by The Association of Christian Postgraduate Groups), facilitating cross-city encouragement. In this way, they will support UCCF Research and IFES Europe’s Postgraduate Initiative in their work to catalyse support for Christian postgraduate students in London.
London Seminars
London is a unique context with many universities but significant practical obstacles for mutual Christian support. We are delighted to be hosting termly mid-week evening seminars, with the aim of bringing together postgraduate students and postdoctoral researchers from across the city for mutual encouragement, as we think about our work and witness as Christians in academia.
The London seminars will function as a central hub for the postgraduate prayer and study groups in London’s universities (supported by The Association of Christian Postgraduate Groups), facilitating cross-city encouragement. In this way, they will support UCCF Research and IFES Europe’s Postgraduate Initiative in their work to catalyse support for Christian postgraduate students in London.
Upcoming event
Tuesday 24 February, 6:30-9pm
Our next London Seminar will be held on the evening of Tuesday 24 February at Room 305, 26 Bedford Way, UCL (WC1H 0AP), with Rev Dr Andrew Sach.
Social: Pub Trip
Thursday 27 November 7pm | Malborough Arms, Torrington Place
Join our community of London-based Christian postgrads for a social gathering at the Malborough Arms pub from 7pm, where we will continue conversations already started at our London events this year.
A double calling:
Vision-setting events to serve our double calling: working excellently with a Christian ethos and worldview, and harnessing our expertise for cultural apologetics and outreach.
Fellows Programme
The annual Fellows Programme is a weekly term-time study programme run in Cambridge and online for up to 10 postgraduate students. It explores the re-integration of the Christian faith with scholarship, teaching, research and the intellectual life.
We will be hosting a series of three taster sessions for our 2025-2026 programme; these will run from late November to December 2025.
These sessions will run in person at the Cambridge Christian Study Centre, or online via Zoom for fellows based elsewhere. For more information, or to register to attend our Tasters, please use the link below.
Taster Sessions
- Tue 25 November – Prof Fred Sanders: Introduction to the doctrine of the Trinity and its interdisciplinary implications
- Tue 2 December – Gray Sutanto: The relevance of the Creator-creature distinction for academia today
- Tue 16 December – Prof Brad Green: Augustine and the intellectual impact of the Fall
Cambridge Christian Study Centre
The Cambridge Christian Study Centre is open at the Round Church during term time.
At one of our conferences, Dr Chris Watkin challenged each of us to set aside a portion of each week to study Christian literature and theology relevant to our academic work, as he himself had done as a student in Cambridge.
The Study Centre catalyses this vision with study desks, dedicated reference library and with coffee and lunch discussion with Centre staff including one of our conference speakers, Andrew Fellows.
Our conferences aim to help students study excellently with a Christian ethos and worldview, and to use what they study for cultural apologetics and mission.
Over the past few years, we have invited speakers such as Prof John Lennox, Rev Dr Craig Bartholomew, Dr Os Guinness, Rev Dr Chris Wright, Dr Rhoda Hawkins, Dr Anna Nickerson, Prof John Coffey, Prof Julian Rivers, Prof Russell Cowburn, Dr Daniel Hill, Prof Glynn Harrison, Prof John Wyatt, Dr Chris Watkin, Prof David Bebbington, and others.
- Fellows
For students and researchers who want to go deeper, we also organise an annual Fellows Programme, which encourages students to re-integrate the Christian faith with scholarship, teaching, research and the intellectual life. The programme includes discussion of guided reading and supported practical exercises through weekly seminars and 2 away days.
- Get Involved
Our events are primarily for postgraduates, post-docs and junior academics; however anyone who is pursuing an academic career in other ways is welcome.
To stay up-to-date, please join our mailing list.
Discover some of our resources, including talks and videos from past conferences.
Prof Brad Green
'Why and How Should the Gospel Be Proclaimed Verbally in the University?'
Prof Karen Coats
'How Does the Gospel Shape Our Approach to Teaching in the University?'
Prof Glynn Harrison
'Identity, Politics and the Doctrine of the Image of God'
Dr Kirsten Birkett
'Introduction to Sources of the Self, Its Context and Significance'
Prof Brad Green
'What Is the Purpose and Value of the Academic Vocation in the Light of the Gospel?'
Dr James Eglinton
'Resourcing Protestant Anthropology: Living the Good Life'
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