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Bethany Sollereder

Key Details

Job title:
Postdoctoral Fellow (2020-2022)

Bethany received her PhD in Theology from the University of Exeter and an MCS in interdisciplinary studies from Regent College, Vancouver. She specialises in theology concerning evolution and the problem of suffering. Her current work is about the theological possibilities and human vocation in the light of irreversible changes in ecological degradation.

  • Education

    PhD in Theology, University of Exeter

    MCS in Interdisciplinary Studies, Regent College, Vancouver.

    BA in Theology, Vanguard College, Edmonton.

  • Research Interests

    Bethany’s interests sit at the intersection of science and theology. With her past work in theodicy and a grim and sombre disposition, she has decided to take a hard look at what happens if we cannot get back to an ecological “normal”. What role do humans have toward the rest of the living world when anthropogenic climate change makes changes that are not reversible? If the predictions of climate change scientists of worst case scenarios become reality, how do we understand the goodness and providence of God in a world experiencing soaring temperatures, fresh water and food shortages, and mass migration? Where do we place our hope when the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of earth seem to be headed in different directions, and the Enlightenment dreams of inevitable progress are broken. This work will reflect on the themes of Laudato Si’ and the interconnections of justice for the poor and the earth, and the possibility of redemption when the possibility of restoration is past.