Notes from Reimagining Humanism Conference 2026: Bridge-building Across Faiths and Disciplines

Molly Graybill, MPhil student in Christian Ethics at Oxford, reflects on our McDonald Centre annual conference 2026:

"I am a first-year MPhil student in Christian ethics, with interests in American political theology, AI ethics, and the end of life. In addition to attending the McDonald Centre’s 2026 Conference, Reimagining Humanism, I assisted with set-up, registration, and note-taking. My time at the conference left me with much to think about, including one paper which has led me to rethink a topic I have been writing about recently in my own work, the ordo amoris. One of the reasons I chose to study Christian ethics is its ability to be a meeting place for different disciplines in theology and religious studies, an entry point for the development of a common language in pursuit of a common good. 

The conversations sparked at Reimagining Humanism, spanning multiple faith traditions and professional affiliations, affirmed how valuable Christian ethics can be in service of this bridge-building project. Indeed, what struck me most about this experience was the sense of rich community formed between friends and colleagues. It was clear to me that this conference was not merely a professional venture for my fellow attendees, but also a personal and spiritual one. As a relative newcomer to this community, I was grateful to be so warmly welcomed by familiar and unfamiliar faces alike. I enjoyed my time as a volunteer and attendee of the McDonald Centre’s 2026 Annual Conference, Reimagining Humanism, and look forward to participating again in future years."

Group Photo from the 2026 McDonald Centre Conference