Date: 14–15 August 2025
Location: Alphacrucis University College, Sydney
Keynote Speaker: Stuart Piggin, “Reason and the Spirit: The University in British, American and Australian Evangelical and Pentecostal Traditions”
This symposium invites interdisciplinary reflection on the role of Christian universities in
shaping intellectual, spiritual, and public life. We welcome contributions from scholars
across disciplines—including theology, history, education, economics, and management—
that engage with the challenges, opportunities, and distinctive contributions of faith-based
higher education in Australia and beyond. Confirmed speakers include Stuart Piggin, Robert
Banks, Peter Sherlock, Jacqueline Grey, Geoff Treloar, Kristy Mills, Paul Oslington, Ben
Myers, and James Dalziel. Potential paper topics may include topics such as the following:
- Christian education and its contribution to Australian public life
- Theology in relation to the university disciplines
- The core curriculum in Christian higher education
- Pentecostal contributions to higher education
- Christian universities in relation to churches and faith-based organisations
- Historical reflections on the shaping of educational institutions
- The relationship between Christian schooling and Christian higher education
- Public policy and Christian higher education.
Proposals should include the title and an abstract (approx. 300 words) and are due by Monday, 19 May 2025. Selected papers will be invited to contribute to a special issue of Australasian Pentecostal Studies. We welcome contributions from scholars at all stages of their careers and from diverse Christian traditions. Travel subsidies are available for HDR students. Please submit your proposal here.
The symposium is hosted by the Australasian Pentecostal Studies Centre at Alphacrucis University College. The event will commence with the annual Cartledge Lecture, held at 6pm on Thursday 14 August, where Stuart Piggin will speak on the topic “Reason and the Spirit: The University in British, American and Australian Evangelical and Pentecostal Traditions.” The rest of the symposium will follow on Friday 15 August.
For more information, please contact Mark.Jacobson@ac.edu.au.
