Summer Research Seminars

The Quaker Institute for the Future holds summer research seminars on a yearly basis. The location varies each year and recent seminars have been held online, but the purpose is always to encourage spirit-led research using Quaker methods of discernment and reflection. Daily activities include silent worship, group discussion, solo research time and a convivial atmosphere of shared effort.

Each day begins with a time of silent centering worship after the manner of Friends, followed by the presentation of two research projects. Each presentation includes a time for questions, clarification, and discussion, followed by a time of collaborative discernment conducted as a “meeting for worship for sharing.”

The Seminar can be thought of as a “meeting for worship for the conduct of research.” As individuals share their research projects in a Quaker process of collective inquiry and collaborative discernment, the projects may arrive at a configuration of knowledge and understanding that would not have occurred had they remained individual efforts.

The schedule includes time for participants to work on their research projects or meet with others for additional collaborative discussion and discernment.

Please see the list of past seminars for reports on each year’s activities.

For in-person seminars, we keep costs as low as possible. Hospitality will be provided by local Friends. We ask those who are able to contribute $100 on a sliding scale to cover costs for themselves and others. Each participant will also contribute to the cost of our meals.

For video-conference seminars, we ask participants to consider making a donation that is within their means.

 

Past Seminars

Quaker Institute for the Future