Who We Are


Quaker Institute for the Future (QIF) envisions a global future in which humanity is in right relationship with the commonwealth of life.QIF seeks to generate insight, knowledge and wisdom that informs public policy and enables us to treat all humans and the whole commonwealth of life as a sacred community. QIF conducts research using practices of collaborative spiritual discernment based on the Quaker tradition of “meeting for worship for business.” The Institute creates the opportunity for scholars and activists to investigate their areas of interest and commitment within the Spirit-led context of Quaker testimonies, other traditions, truth seeking and public service.


Focus Book Series

Insight and understanding born of careful discernment on social, economic, and ecological concerns.

Summer Research Seminars

Spirit-led research using Quaker methods of reflection and discernment.

The 2023 Summer Research Seminar will be held on zoom from July 17-21. For more information see here. QIF Youth Grants in the amount of $500 will be available to support presenters age 18-35.

For recordings of  the 2021 Summer Research Seminar  see the QIF YouTube channel:  Videos    Playlists

Circles of Discernment


Small study groups that examine particular themes and concerns. Currently active circles have been meeting on “Bridging Polarity”, “Regenerative Agriculture”, and “Smarter Planet or Wiser Earth: How Dialogue Can Transform Artificial Intelligence Into Collaborative Wisdom”

News and Events

December 2022: Dates have been set for the 2023 Summer Research Seminar, July 17-21, to be held on zoom. For more information see here.

November 2022: We are scaling up our 2023 QIF Youth Grants Info Sheet and looking for applicants as well as cosponsoring organizations.

September 2022: If you would like to receive occasional updates, please click on “Contact Us”

February 2022: We’ve set the dates for the 2022 Summer Research Seminar. Learn more here.

September 2021: Read the Quaker Institute for the Future Epistle on Responding to the Threat of Overwhelming Climate Change

Read the blog, visit us on Facebook or the QIF YouTube channel.

Quaker Institute for the Future