About us

What kinds of academic knowledge — 'science' in the German sense — can best inform policy and practice, what methods will produce this knowledge and how should this knowledge be put to use? Current areas of focus are causal modelling, historical scholarship, evidence-based policy, tools for scientists and the use of science, information synthesis and practical inference, uncertainty and risk in astrobiology, objectivity and social activist research, the role of descriptive/qualitative work in science, mapping tensions in work crossing scientific disciplines and integrating philosophers into scientific work.

Easter Term 2025 Seminars

We have a busy schedule of activities planned for the Easter term 2025. The events are all free to attend. Some events are possible to attend online, if you are outside of Durham. Please contact CHESS administrator at admin.chess@durham.ac.uk, if you have any questions.

Thu 8 May at 3.30-5.00 PM at ER278 (Elvet Riverside)
Joyce Havstad: Methodological Choice, Value-Criteria, and Fruitfulness

Thu 22 May at 3.30-5.00 PM at ER278 (Elvet Riverside)
Nancy Cartwright, Eileen Munro and John Pemberton: How to Make Better Policy Predictions, with Child Protection Policy as a Case Study

Thu 29 May at 3.30-5.00 PM at ER278 (Elvet Riverside)
Nancy Cartwright: In praise of the inexact, the inelegant and the unassuming

Thu 26 June at 11 AM - 5 PM at PO005 (Department of Philosophy)
Workshop: Intellectual Humility in Early Modern Science and Philosophy

Don't forget our weekly research meetings either:

Thu at 11 AM -12 PM at PO004 (Department of Philosophy) and Teams

This term on 8 May, 15 May, 5 June and 12 June. Please contact CHESS administrator at admin.chess@durham.ac.uk, to be added on the CHESS mailing list where you get the latest information and links to online sessions.