Hall of Reason
“Exploring life’s biggest questions through faith, reason, and open dialogue.”
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
AI is powerful, transformative, and controversial. It brings both remarkable benefits and serious risks. Its full effect depends on how society chooses to regulate and integrate it.
Upcoming sessions
The time is from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm, in the Learning Center, Pembroke. This is appropriate for age 18 – 100, all levels of education, and inclusive of all faith traditions, searchers, and non-believer. Formerly known as the Science and Faith Dialogues, the Hall meets monthly during the academic year. Janet Siefert, PhD, presents a synopsis of that month’s science topic and moderates the discussions and questions. No registration required.
Dr. Janet L. Siefert earned her PhD in Biology from the University of Houston in 1997 under George E. Fox. She was an Associate Research Professor at Rice University (1998–2020) and now serves as Senior Research Fellow and Director of Communications at the Lanier Foundation.
A leading researcher in the origin of life, she focuses on microbial ecology and evolutionary biology. Her fieldwork in Mexico’s Cuatro Ciénegas Basin has drawn comparisons to the Galapagos due to its unique microbial life. She has published on horizontal gene transfer, nitrogen fixation, and Earth’s early atmosphere.
Dr. Siefert broke new ground as the first woman to chair the Gordon Research Conference on the Origin of Life and to serve as president of ISSOL (2008–2011). Her work has been featured by Discovery, National Geographic, and the History Channel.
She is a Christian, actively pursuing a master’s in theology at Northern Seminary, and blogs about faith and science.