Russell Stannard
Encyclopedia
Russell Stannard is a retired high-energy particle
physicist
, who was born in London
, England
, on December 24, 1931. He currently holds the position of Professor Emeritus of Physics
at the Open University
. In 1986 he was awarded the Templeton Prize
for ‘significant contributions to the field of spiritual values; in particular for contributions to greater understanding of science and religion’. He was awarded the OBE
for ‘contributions to physics, the Open University, and the popularisation of science’ (1998) and the Bragg Medal and Prize of the Institute of Physics for ‘distinguished contributions to the teaching of physics’ (1999).
Stannard is also a sculptor; two of his pieces were until recently on display in the main quadrangle of the Open University site at Milton Keynes
.
In 2010, he helmed a series of ten short programmes collectively entitled "Boundaries of the knowable", dealing with subjects from both scientific and philosophical perspectives, ranging from the nature of consciousness
, the nature of matter
, space
and time
, the wave-particle duality of matter, the (alleged) existence of extra-terrestrial life and the question of "What caused the Big Bang
?".
Particle
A particle is, generally, a small localized object to which can be ascribed physical properties. It may also refer to:In chemistry:* Colloidal particle, part of a one-phase system of two or more components where the particles aren't individually visible.In physics:* Subatomic particle, which may be...
physicist
Physicist
A physicist is a scientist who studies or practices physics. Physicists study a wide range of physical phenomena in many branches of physics spanning all length scales: from sub-atomic particles of which all ordinary matter is made to the behavior of the material Universe as a whole...
, who was born in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, on December 24, 1931. He currently holds the position of Professor Emeritus of Physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
at the Open University
Open University
The Open University is a distance learning and research university founded by Royal Charter in the United Kingdom...
. In 1986 he was awarded the Templeton Prize
Templeton Prize
The Templeton Prize is an annual award presented by the Templeton Foundation. Established in 1972, it is awarded to a living person who, in the estimation of the judges, "has made an exceptional contribution to affirming life's spiritual dimension, whether through insight, discovery, or practical...
for ‘significant contributions to the field of spiritual values; in particular for contributions to greater understanding of science and religion’. He was awarded the OBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
for ‘contributions to physics, the Open University, and the popularisation of science’ (1998) and the Bragg Medal and Prize of the Institute of Physics for ‘distinguished contributions to the teaching of physics’ (1999).
Stannard is also a sculptor; two of his pieces were until recently on display in the main quadrangle of the Open University site at Milton Keynes
Milton Keynes
Milton Keynes , sometimes abbreviated MK, is a large town in Buckinghamshire, in the south east of England, about north-west of London. It is the administrative centre of the Borough of Milton Keynes...
.
In 2010, he helmed a series of ten short programmes collectively entitled "Boundaries of the knowable", dealing with subjects from both scientific and philosophical perspectives, ranging from the nature of consciousness
Consciousness
Consciousness is a term that refers to the relationship between the mind and the world with which it interacts. It has been defined as: subjectivity, awareness, the ability to experience or to feel, wakefulness, having a sense of selfhood, and the executive control system of the mind...
, the nature of matter
Matter
Matter is a general term for the substance of which all physical objects consist. Typically, matter includes atoms and other particles which have mass. A common way of defining matter is as anything that has mass and occupies volume...
, space
Space
Space is the boundless, three-dimensional extent in which objects and events occur and have relative position and direction. Physical space is often conceived in three linear dimensions, although modern physicists usually consider it, with time, to be part of a boundless four-dimensional continuum...
and time
Time
Time is a part of the measuring system used to sequence events, to compare the durations of events and the intervals between them, and to quantify rates of change such as the motions of objects....
, the wave-particle duality of matter, the (alleged) existence of extra-terrestrial life and the question of "What caused the Big Bang
Big Bang
The Big Bang theory is the prevailing cosmological model that explains the early development of the Universe. According to the Big Bang theory, the Universe was once in an extremely hot and dense state which expanded rapidly. This rapid expansion caused the young Universe to cool and resulted in...
?".
Career
- Studied Physics at University College LondonUniversity College LondonUniversity College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...
earning a B.Sc. (Special Physics) degree (1953); this was followed by a Ph.D in cosmic ray physics (1956). - 1960-69 Lecturer, UCLUniversity College LondonUniversity College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...
- 1969-71 Reader, Open UniversityOpen UniversityThe Open University is a distance learning and research university founded by Royal Charter in the United Kingdom...
- 1971-97 Professor of Physics, Open University.
- 1971-92 Head of the Physics Department, Open University
- 1974-76 Pro-Vice Chancellor, Open University
- 1987-88 Visiting Fellow, Center of Theological Inquiry, PrincetonPrinceton UniversityPrinceton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
, USA. - 1987-91 Vice President of the Institute of PhysicsInstitute of PhysicsThe Institute of Physics is a scientific charity devoted to increasing the practice, understanding and application of physics. It has a worldwide membership of around 40,000....
. - 1993-99 Trustee of the John Templeton FoundationJohn Templeton Foundation"The John Templeton Foundation is a philanthropic organizationthat funds inter-disciplinary research about human purpose and ultimate reality. It is usually referred to simply as the Templeton Foundation...
. - 1999–present Emeritus Professor of Physics, Open University.
Science and Religion
- Science and the Renewal of Belief
- Grounds for Reasonable Belief
- Doing Away With God?
- Science and Wonders
- contributed chapters to Evidence of Purpose, How Large is God?, and Spiritual Evolution.
- The God Experiment, Faber and FaberFaber and FaberFaber and Faber Limited, often abbreviated to Faber, is an independent publishing house in the UK, notable in particular for publishing a great deal of poetry and for its former editor T. S. Eliot. Faber has a rich tradition of publishing a wide range of fiction, non fiction, drama, film and music...
/HiddenSpring 1999 based on his Gifford LecturesGifford LecturesThe Gifford Lectures were established by the will of Adam Lord Gifford . They were established to "promote and diffuse the study of Natural Theology in the widest sense of the term — in other words, the knowledge of God." The term natural theology as used by Gifford means theology supported... - The End of Discovery
Children's Books
11 Children's books including- the Uncle Albert trilogy (The Time and Space of Uncle Albert, Black Holes and Uncle Albert, and Uncle Albert and the Quantum Quest)
- An update of George GamowGeorge GamowGeorge Gamow , born Georgiy Antonovich Gamov , was a Russian-born theoretical physicist and cosmologist. He discovered alpha decay via quantum tunneling and worked on radioactive decay of the atomic nucleus, star formation, stellar nucleosynthesis, Big Bang nucleosynthesis, cosmic microwave...
's classic Mr TompkinsMr TompkinsThe eponymous character of Mr Tompkins appears in a series of four books by the physicist George Gamow in which he aims to explain modern scientific theories to a popular audience.... - The Curious History of God
- Our Physical Universe
- Virtutopia
External links
- Gifford Lectures biography page on Russell Stannard
- Open2.net short series of video programmes from the OUOpen UniversityThe Open University is a distance learning and research university founded by Royal Charter in the United Kingdom...
"Boundaries of the knowable" http://www.open2.net/boundaries/index.html