Interactions Between Religion and Science Among Graduate Students in Sciences

Margaret Moss* and Christopher Scheitle, Eberly College Department of Sociology and Anthropology, West

Field (Broad Category): Sociology (Behavioral & Social Sciences) 

Student’s Major: Psychology 

It is often assumed that there is a conflict with one’s religion and scientific identity; that scientific work and religious views cannot go hand in hand. This study aims to understand how scientists-in-training view their religious lives as an influence on their scientific lives and vice versa. Sixty-six graduate students in natural and social sciences programs across the United States were interviewed regarding their scientific and religious lives. These students come from many scientific and religious backgrounds. Analysis of these interviews identifies several themes of how science graduate students understand their religious and scientific lives as influencing each other. Quite a few students were nonreligious, so they saw no correlation or conflict. The interviews also showed that studying science has made multiple students more critical on religion. However, a large number of students have found a balance between their religious and scientific identities. Their religion has helped them shape their morals or find motivation to help people. They see religion and science working together to help them understand the world and the people around them. 

Funding: West Virginia University, National Science Foundation 

Program/mechanism supporting research/creative efforts: WVU's Research Apprenticeship Program (RAP) & accompanying HONR 297-level course