Professor George M. Coghill

Biography

I am retired (but not old enough to claim my state pension) and was recently awarded an MTh by research from Edinburgh Theological Seminary (ETS)/ University of Glasgow, in Theology and Science/ Analytic Theology, for research on the philosophical and theological ideas of Donald M. MacKay (1922-1987).

My current research is in Theology and Science, and Analytic Theology.

I am an Honorary Research Fellow at ETS (and on the ETS Senate, and Seminary Board).

I am also a singer and obtained a diploma from Trinity College London (LTCL) in 2014. I give recitals, and am building up my portfolio. You can find my music page on Facebook at:

https://www.facebook.com/George-M-Coghill-Baritone-111362928143158

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After completing a degree in Engineering Science at the University of Aberdeen I moved into Clinical Physics, working for Greater Glasgow Health Board. While there I completed an M.Sc. by research in an area of Artificial Intelligence. This led me to pursue an academic career, to which end I undertook a PhD in the Intelligent Systems Laboratory at Heriot-Watt University on the topic of Qualitative Reasoning. My first academic appointment was in the University of Wales, Aberystwyth  (1997 – 2002), where I extended my research interests to include Scientific Discovery. After that I returned to Aberdeen as a SL in Computing Science. I was promoted to Reader in 2009, and to a Chair in 2011. At Aberdeen I have had a number of roles. I was Head of Computing Science (2010-2014); Director of Research and a Deputy Head of the School of Natural and Computing Sciences (2015 – 2018). I have served on a several committees in the institution including the Academic Standards Committee (Post-graduate), the Quality Assurance Committee, and the Research Policy Committee. I have also done a few stints on Senate.

External Memberships

Honorary Research Fellow, Edinburgh Theological Seminary

Associate University Lecturer, University of Glasgow

Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce

Research Overview

My main research was in the area of Model-based Systems and Qualitative reasoning (a branch of AI), but is now in the domain of Theology and Science (focussed on issues in Information and AI). 

Current Research Interests: 

Theology and Science/ Philosophical Theology 

Analytic Theology

Philosophy of Information

Informational Philosophy of Science

Model-based Systems and Qualitative Reasoning

I have been fortunate to be involved in interdisciplinary projects with friends and colleagues across a wide spectrum of disciplines.