Interviews on wonder, curiosity and creativity
Peter Laws is an author, journalist and church minister with a taste for the macabre. He writes the Matt Hunter creepy crime fiction series, about an ex-vicar turned atheist professor, who helps the police solve religiously motivated crimes. He writes a monthly column in The Fortean Times magazine. He’s a regularly public speaker and lives in Bedfordshire.
Remona Aly is a journalist and broadcaster. She writes for The Guardian and other media outlets on faith, lifestyle and identity. She is a resident Pause for Thought contributor at BBC Radio 2 on the Zoe Ball Breakfast Show and a presenter on BBC Radio 4’s Something Understood. Remona is Director of Communications for Exploring Islam Foundation which specialises in PR campaigns and creative resources. She is also an editor, presents and produces podcasts, and is on an ongoing quest to write a book (will it ever happen).
Paul Rezkalla is a Graduate Fellow of the Society of Christian Philosophers and works with the Ian Ramsey Centre for Science and Religion at the University of Oxford. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate in philosophy at Florida State University and recently completed a M.Sc. in cognitive and evolutionary anthropology as part of his doctoral research on the evolution of morality. He also holds a MA in philosophy from the University of Birmingham (UK) and a MA in theology from Saint John’s University. Paul loves the English Premier League and plays the oud (look it up!) for the Tallahassee Middle Eastern Ensemble.
Science magician Dr Matt Pritchard is a Curator of Wonder. As an independent science communicator he works with over 100 schools and universities a year. Previously Matt conducted atomic physics research at Durham University. He subsequently went on to work within the Education department at Thinktank Science Museum, Birmingham before setting up his own company. In addition to this experience, he has spent the last 20 years working as a professional magician and is an Associate of the Inner Magic Circle - one of only 300 people in the world to hold this distinction.
Jonny Mellor is a rapper, fiction writer and church leader. Together with his wife, Jemma, he leads a network of Christian artists, called Sputnik.
Brother John Bosco is a Franciscan Friar based in East London, UK.
Bethany Sollereder is a Postdoctoral Fellow in Science and Religion. She specialises in theology concerning evolution and the problem of suffering. Bethany received her PhD in Theology from the University of Exeter and an MCS in interdisciplinary studies from Regent College, Vancouver.
The Right Revd David Walker has held the position of Bishop of Manchester since 2013. Prior to that he was Bishop of Dudley from 2000, following 17 years in assorted parish ministries and industrial chaplaincy in the Diocese of Sheffield. David is Chair of the Advisory Council on the Relations of Bishops and Religious Communities (ACRBRC) – the body which is currently working with new monastic communities as they emerge across the Country. He acts as International Visitor for the Society of Ordained Scientists.
A writer, a dad, a rapper and a filmmaker. He’s also staged live music, dance and theatre performances. His current day job involves graphic design, photography, journalistic writing and meeting wonderful people in and around Birmingham, UK.
London based artist. Central to his practice is the notion of a painting as a cultural artefact. At first these are paintings about paintings: images that oscillate between artefact and artifice. Notions of authenticity lie at the heart of his artistic enquiry. Currently course leader for Critical and Professional Development at Leith School of Art, Edinburgh and graduate workshops at Wimbledon School of Art, London.
Words on Wonder 