UWTSD and Yildiz Technical University Unite for Major International Conference on Cultural Astronomy
The University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s Sophia Centre, in partnership with Yildiz Technical University, has hosted a major international conference in Istanbul, uniting scholars from across three continents.
The conference, titled, “Celestial Crossroads: Encounters, Intersections and Influences”, was held in partnership with Yildiz Technical University. The 40 speakers at the conference came from academic institutions across North America, Europe and Asia and explored cross-cultural relationships in the history of astrology and astronomy in the ancient and Medieval worlds with a focus on transmission between Europe and Asia.
Five speakers attended from UWTSD, along with fifteen of the Sophia Centre’s online students, from ten different countries, representing the global reach of Humanities at the University.
The conference was held in the magnificent surroundings of Yildiz Technical University’s 14th century hall and was broadcast online thanks to the University’s technical team.
Topics included the use of astronomy and astrology at the ancient Persian and Ottoman Turkish courts and the relationship between astrology and science and religion.
Dr. Özer Çınar, Chief Advisor to the Rector of Yildiz Technical University, with responsibility for research and development and international affairs, said:
“Our collaboration with the Sophia Centre and UWTSD is a significant contribution to our international outreach and we are proud to collaborate with Wales. The Sophia Centre’s academic contribution is unique.”
Dr. Nicholas Campion, conference chair and director of the Sophia Centre said:
“Our partnership with Yildiz Technical University has opened up important new academic contacts in Turkey. The study of the cultural place of astrology and astronomy in human culture allows us key insights into the history and nature of science, religion, and the arts.”
The Sophia Centre is now established as a leading academic centre in the world for the study of our cultural engagement with all aspects of astronomy. The centre is responsible for teaching the online Masters programme in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology.
UWTSD And the Sophia Centre would like to thank our three graduates, Karine Dilanian, Alejo Lopez, and Mai Lootah, who did incredible work as the conference committee, and UWTSD’s Dr. Frances Clynes who played an important role in the early planning of the conference.
The conference proceedings will be published in the Sophia Centre’s academic journal Culture and Cosmos.
More information about UWTSD’s MA in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology is available at:
https://www.uwtsd.ac.uk/programme-courses/postgraduate-pgce/philosophy-theology-and-religious-studies/cultural-astronomy-0
Details of the conference, including the full programme, can be found at:
http://sophia-project.net/sp_sponsored/2026-istanbul/index.php
Further information about Yildiz Technical University is available at:
https://www.yildiz.edu.tr/en
Further Information
Arwel Lloyd
Principal PR and Communications Officer
Corporate Communications and PR
Email: arwel.lloyd@uwtsd.ac.uk
Phone: 07384 467076