About this event
For centuries human beings have grappled to grasp the vastness of the intelligence of the mind of God with the (significant but comparatively feeble) intelligence of the human mind. How will this quest be helped or hindered by Generative Artificial Intelligence as it becomes an increasingly influential feature of the educational environment?
These early days of its availability present a unique opportunity for experimental usage and thoughtful conversation about its application within theological education.
This conference provides a goal to focus these early experiments with AI.
It will hear papers reporting on these experiments and their results, in the context of other papers exploring ethical, philosophical, theological, and practical dimensions of the use of Artificial Intelligence by those who ‘have the mind of Christ’.
Call for Papers
The Sydney College of Divinity invites scholars, doctoral candidates, and others working in the theological and wider academic community to propose a paper for the SCD 2025 Learning & Teaching Conference by 14 March, 2025.
Proposal submissions can be made here: https://airtable.com/app7OY1vdr98FPCJw/shrHT2PC5eEvMCAyg
Acceptance of papers will be communicated as proposals are received.
Presentations will be 20 minutes, with an additional 5–10 minutes for questions & interaction. A selection of papers from the conference will be subsequently published after peer review as the next volume in the SCD Press Learning & Teaching Theology series.
Presenters will need to register for the conference. Registration costs, including conference dinner, accommodation options, and transport details, are available through the SCD Events website.
Guidelines for Paper Proposals
The title of the proposed presentation, with an abstract of 250–300 words, should be submitted by 14 March, 2025.
The title of the paper and its abstract must articulate clearly the line of argument that the paper will take, indicating its contribution to research or scholarship in the chosen area.
Subject to the papers offered, the Conference Program will assign papers to various streams, so that conferees may specialise in their interest area. These streams will be organised (approximately) along the lines of the domains of the Higher Education Standards. This opens out the possibility for papers from those involved in Theological Education other than teaching Faculty. Proposals therefore will nominate the area of focus:
Student Participation & Attainment (Domain 1)
Learning Environment (Domain 2)
Teaching & Learning (Domain 3)
Research & Research Training (Domain 4)
Institutional Quality Assurance (Domain 5)
Governance & Accountability (Domain 6)
Representation, Information, & Information Management (Domain 7)
Further enquiries should be directed to Prof Peter Bolt: [email protected] or 02 9889 1969.
Keynote Speakers:
James Dalziel
Australian University of Theology
Professor James Dalziel joined the Australian University of Theology as Dean and CEO in June 2020. In 2025, Professor Dalziel’s role became the Vice-Chancellor of the University. Prior to his appointment, Professor Dalziel was Dean of Education at Morling College and a Professor of the University of Divinity. Previously, he has been Professor of Learning Technology at Macquarie University and a Senior Lecturer at the University of Sydney. Professor Dalziel is an internationally recognised expert in the fields of Learning Design and educational technology. James is a Member of the Australian Psychological Society. James is married to Dr Bronwen Dalziel, and they have three children.
Diane Hockridge
Ridley College
Diane is an educational designer and consultant, specialising in online learning design. She has a PhD in Education from Macquarie University which focuses on using learning design to promote holistic formation of students in theological education. She is a Faculty member at Ridley College, Melbourne, Australia where she develops undergraduate and graduate level online theology courses and facilitates faculty development in learning and teaching. As consultant with Local Leaders International she works with a team to support and extend global theological educators’ competency and capacity for online and distance teaching.
Parallel Speakers:
The full program will be available prior to conference. Please check back closer to the date.
Program will be available prior to conference. Please check back closer to the date.
Registration
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- Full conference registration (face to face 2 days) – $340.00 AUD
(Face to face conference fees include morning tea and lunch.) - Tickets to the Conference Dinner on night 1 can be purchased for an additional $75.00 AUD per person.
- Full conference registration (face to face 2 days) – $340.00 AUD
Parking
Free parking is available at the Rydges Hotel.
Public Transport
The venue is an easy 900m walk from Norwest Metro Station, alternatively a bus to the Nexus Building opposite Rydges Norwest is available from outside the station.
Accommodation
There are plenty of accommodation options available in the area, however the following are within walking distance to the SCD Campus:
A discount is available for SCD LATT 2025 Conference Delegates at Rydges Norwest, to access this please contact the Rydges Norwest reservations team directly on 02 9634 9639 (during business hours) and quote you are attending the SCD LATT 2025 Conference 23 April to 24 April 2025.