معرفی
Simon Maria Kopf is Associate Professor of Fundamental Theology at ITI Catholic University and Research Fellow at Blackfriars Hall, University of Oxford. He holds a DPhil from the University of Oxford and degrees in Theology, Philosophy, and Science and Religion from Universität Innsbruck and the University of Edinburgh. His academic trajectory includes positions as Visiting Research Fellow at King’s College London (2020–2023), Principal Investigator for Templeton Foundation projects at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (2021–2022) and Universidad Austral (2018–2020), and Research Assistant for an ERC project on early Franciscan thought.
Kopf's research centers on interdisciplinary theology, with emphases on:
- Science and religion dialogue
- Divine providence and action debates
- Thomistic philosophy (particularly Aquinas' theology)
- Fundamental theology and epistemology
- Teleology in evolutionary contexts
His publications show consistent focus on divine action, providence, and theological engagement with science. Recent works critically evaluate Science-Engaged Theology methodologies and advance Thomistic perspectives on divine causality. Thematically, they explore:
- Reconciling divine sovereignty with natural contingency
- Metaphysical foundations of creation
- Virtue-based models of providence
- Epistemological challenges in theology-science dialogues
Kopf received the Expanded Reason Award 2023 for interdisciplinary scholarship bridging theology and contemporary thought. He has led major grants including:
- Templeton Foundation project: 'A Virtue-Based Approach to Providence'
- ERC project: 'Authority and Innovation in Early Franciscan Thought'
