ISCAST–NZCIS Conversations 2026: Conspiracy Theories

Conspiracy theories are everywhere, and Christians are not immune. In this three-part series, the ISCAST–NZCIS Conversations 2026 brings together scholars from across science, theology, and technology to explore why conspiracy theories spread, who believes them, and what resources Christian faith offers for navigating a world awash with misinformation.

Details

Thursday evenings, 7, 14, and 21 May 2026, online via Zoom

Registration

Further details on ticket prices and how to register will be announced soon.

Speakers

7 May — Nigel Chapman

Nigel Chapman studied Computer Science at UNSW and Divinity at Morling. By day he negotiates with the computers on behalf of the humans. He was co-convenor, editor, and lead author for the ISCAST lockdown project Who to Trust? Christian Belief in Conspiracy Theories (2022), which aimed to survey and summarise recent research on conspiracism, and to which a dozen highly qualified ISCAST members contributed their time. He lives in Melbourne and puzzles things out at chapman.wiki.

14 May — Rev. Dr Maja Whitaker

Rev. Dr Maja Whitaker is Academic Dean and lecturer in Practical Theology at Laidlaw College in New Zealand, based at the Christchurch campus. She comes to theology from a background in anatomical science and bioethics, and is an ordained pastor in the ACTS movement.

21 May — Dr Jacob Martin

Dr Jacob Martin is a materials scientist and nanotechnologist working on climate-stabilising technologies. Jacob has run the gamut in renewable and climate research, including biomass-to-power, algae biofuels, solar photovoltaics, carbon capture, soot pollution reduction, and carbon materials for hydrogen storage, water filtration, and batteries. He completed his PhD at the University of Cambridge in 2019 and is currently a lecturer in Physics and Astronomy at Curtin University in Perth, Australia.