Cambridge Scholars Network
Sunday - Saturday, 6 - 12 July 2025
Why is the Cambridge Scholars Network Important?
It is crucial for the worldwide evangelical church to develop its next generation of intellectual leaders. Presently, evangelicals who undertake PhD studies and scholarly careers at leading universities are given a "fatherly push" into deep water where they are left alone to sink or swim. Sadly, many struggle to stay afloat as they experience intense sociological pressure to give up or compromise their basic convictions.
Bruce Winter, former Warden of Tyndale House, writes:
"A doctoral programme can greatly increase the knowledge of the next generation of scholars, but it is possible for this process to be accompanied by a spiritual regression akin to a frog turning into a tadpole, with all head and no heart for the Lord and His kingdom."
In order to prevent this metamorphosis, it is necessary to provide young, evangelical scholars with mentorship, encouragement, and the fellowship of like-minded peers. The Cambridge Scholars Network attempts to do just this.
What is the CSN?
The Cambridge Scholars Network (CSN) is a week-long event for evangelical Ph.D. students. The seminar occurs each July near Cambridge in England, and is designed to encourage participants to consider their disciplines and calling from a biblical standpoint. To this end, the CSN seeks to help young scholars:
Establish a spiritual context for academic study
Develop the critical thinking skills necessary for successful academic work
Think through various apologetics issues
The CSN programme includes text discussions, lectures, personal mentoring by senior academics, and fellowship with fellow scholars.
Here is an article written by Richard Gunton, Senior Lecturer at the University of Winchester and a participant from the first CSN held in 2006.
Hear and read what participants say about the CSN.
“Participating in CSN was a unique opportunity for me to learn from distinguished Christian scholars. Both the topics and the lecturers were chosen carefully and with the regard to the needs of Christian PhD students and academics, especially for those who are pursuing careers at secular universities... I’m feeling privileged and blessed to be a part of this year’s CSN program.” - Ana Milosevic, Serbia
“I have profited immensely from CSN. It has helped me to see my role in the kingdom as a scholar, to be aware of pitfalls in academia to look out for and also how to have an impact on academia as a Christian. I am greatly thankful that I had the opportunity to attend CSN.” - Johanna Gundel, Switzerland
WHO IS SPEAKING AT 2025 CSN?
John Lennox - Guest Speaker
John Lennox is Professor of Mathematics (emeritus) at Oxford University and Fellow in Mathematics and Philosophy of Science at Green Templeton College, Oxford. He is also an Associate Fellow of the Said Business School, Oxford University, and teaches for the Oxford Strategic Leadership Programme. Professor is particularly interested in the interface of science, philosophy, and theology. The author of many books. He has debated a number of prominent atheists, including Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, and Peter Singer. (www.johnlennox.org).
Andrew Fellows
Andrew Fellows served as a pastor of a church in Bradford, West Yorkshire for seven years. Then his family moved to the English branch of L’Abri Fellowship, where they lived and worked for 21 years. From 2011 to 2016 Andrew was the chairman of L’Abri International. Now based in Cambridge he serves as read more>>
Dirk Jongkind
Dirk Jongkind is a Dutch biblical scholar who finished his PhD at Cambridge University. His main scholarly interest is in the Greek text of the Bible and the Graeco-Roman read more>>
Emanuel Tundrea
Emanuel Tundrea completed his PhD in software engineering at the Polytechnic University of Timisoara, Romania, in conjunction with the University of Nice, France. Then, he earned his MA in Pastoral Theology in Oradea. read more >>
Glynn Harrison
Glynn Harrison was a Professor and Head of the Department of Psychiatry, at a university in the UK, where he was also a practising consultant psychiatrist. Now, as an author and read more>>
Greg Pritchard
Greg Pritchard received his Ph.D. in Religion in Personality and Society at Northwestern University. He has taught graduate-level courses on apologetics, theology, history, leadership, the New Testament, ethics, Read more>>
Peter J. Williams
Peter J. Williams is the Principal and CEO of Tyndale House, Cambridge. He was educated at Cambridge University, where he received his MA, MPhil, and PhD in the study of ancient languages related to the Bible. read more>>
Daniel Hill
Daniel Hill studied Classics at the University of Oxford, and did his PhD in Philosophy at the University of London. He has taught philosophy since 2000. He has written three books read more>>
David Sandifer
David Sandifer was born and raised in France, of American parents. He holds a Ph.D. in history, from the University of Cambridge (2014). He spent 20 years in pastoral ministry in the U.S. and Australia,
read more>>
Alexander Fink
Alexander Fink is Director of the Institute for Faith and Science in Germany. He studied physics at the universities of Bayreuth and St. Andrews (UK) and received his PhD at read more>>
When and Where is the 2025 CSN?
The 2025 Cambridge Scholars Network is scheduled to take place from Sunday - Saturday, 6- 12 July. Participants are asked to arrive in Yarnton Manor, outside Oxford (England) at 14.00 on Sunday, 6 July. Later in the afternoon, the group will depart for Yarnton Manor, a lovely conference center and estate located in Yarnton, UK for the program.
How much does the 2025 CSN cost?
Early Registration, 1 February 2025 - €390
Regular Registration, 1 May 2025 - €490
Late Registration, 14 June 2025 - €590
Scholarship Rate* - €150
*A limited number of partial bursaries/scholarships are available to those who need them.
Payment is due one month after acceptance into the programme. No refunds are available under any circumstances.
Please click here to see if you need a visa to enter the United Kingdom. Please note that if you need a visa to attend, we need to receive your application no later than 15 March 2025.
Commitments
The Cambridge Scholars Network seeks to encourage evangelical PhD students to consider their disciplines and calling from a biblical standpoint. To this end, we require participants to do each of the following before arriving in Cambridge:
Read a selection of pre-assigned materials. We will provide a reading list, along with electronic copies of all articles/chapters. Participants may also be provided with one or two books.
Complete a collection of writing assignments These assignments will be related to and distributed with the reading materials.
Submit an original academic work (a paper, chapter, or article you have written) for a personal one-on-one review with a CSN mentor during the CSN. This paper must be written in or translated into English.
How do I apply?
If you are interested in participating in this year's Cambridge Scholars Network, please:
Fill out the application form.
Have a pastor or spiritual mentor who knows you well submit a pastoral reference on your behalf.
Have a professor or academic advisor who knows you well submit an academic reference on your behalf.
Please note that the pastoral reference form differs from the academic reference form, so please be sure that you send the correct link.
If you have any questions, please contact us at initiatives@euroleadership.org.