Richard F. Carlson is research professor of physics at the University of Redlands in Redlands, California, and formerly a visiting scientist in the department of radiation sciences at Uppsala University, Sweden. He received a BS (University of Redlands), MS and PhD (University of Minnesota) in physics, and an MA (Fuller Theological Seminary) in biblical studies and theology.

His physics research interests are in experimental nuclear physics, and he has done postdoctoral research at UCLA. While teaching at the University of Redlands he has continued his nuclear research at UCLA, the University of Manitoba, University of California Davis, and currently at Uppsala University. Carlson has published more than fifty articles in physics research journals.

Recently his interests have shifted to the area of science and Christian faith, and between 1995 and 2005 he taught a number of science and theology courses at the University of Redlands and Fuller Theological Seminary. His courses at Redlands and Fuller have resulted in two Templeton Foundation prizes. He is the general editor of Science & Christianity: Four Views (InterVarsity Press, 2000), as well as the author of a number of articles appearing in nuclear physics research journals and theological journals.