The Quaker Institute for the Future’s 2025 Summer Research Seminar will be held online August 11-15 using Zoom.
Please register here.
Here is this year’s SRS announcement.
QIF Summer Research Seminars create a venue for spirit-led research using Quaker methods of discernment and reflection. The seminars are centered around research presentations that occur within a setting of collaborative discernment conducted as a meeting for worship. Emphasis is placed on supporting those who choose to present the work that they are doing through worship together, along with additional time for questions, clarification, and discussion. Time is also reserved for theme-based discussions, worship sharing, artistic and other creative sharing, and informal interactions among participants. More information about summer research seminars is available here.
Youth Grants for Activists and Researchers
This year, QIF will again offer $500 stipends to applicants aged 18 to 35 years old to make a presentation on research or activism that resonates with the QIF mission of advancing a global future of inclusion, social justice, and ecological integrity through Spirit-led participatory research and discernment. This is part of a year long program of Youth Grants. NOTE: People may choose to apply for a Youth Grant independently of the Summer Research Seminar and use it for purposes other than to develop a presentation at the SRS.
If you wish to apply for a Youth Grant for the 2025 SRS, please send your application by July 15.
For more information on the Youth Grants, see last year’s notice: Youth Grants for Activist Researchers 2024
More Information
We welcome those who wish to present a project to be followed by worshipful discernment by all in attendance, those who wish to participate in introducing and facilitating a theme-based discussion, as well as those who just wish to attend and participate without taking on either a presentation or theme-based facilitation.
You may contact Gray Cox at gray@coa.edu for additional information about the next SRS, including more about the stipends and how to apply for them.
Schedule and Supporting Information
To help create a safe space for all, we invited participants to use the “Ouch, Whoa, Oops” model: Ouch Whoa Oops Handout
Monday
11:30 am – 12:00 noon EDT (8:30 – 9 am PDT) Welcome, introduction, and Meeting for Worship
12 – 3 pm EDT (9 am – 12 noon PDT) Meeting for Worship for Research (1 – 2 presentations with mid-period break)
4:30 – 6 pm EDT (1:30 – 3 PDT) Open breakout rooms
7 – 9 pm EDT (4 – 6 pm PDT) Quaker Earthcare Witness
Tuesday
11:30 am – 12:00 noon EDT (8:30 – 9 am PDT) Meeting for Worship
12 – 3 pm EDT (9 am – 12 noon PDT) Meeting for Worship for Research (1 – 2 presentations with mid-period break)
4:30 – 6 pm EDT (1:30 – 3 PDT) Open breakout rooms
7 – 9 pm EDT (4 – 6 pm PDT) Quaker organization to be scheduled: issues and concerns
Wednesday
11:30 am – 12:00 noon EDT (8:30 – 9 am PDT) Meeting for Worship
12 – 3 pm EDT (9 am – 12 noon PDT) Discussions of the turbulence of our times: queries, worship sharing, and other formats
4:30 – 6 pm EDT (1:30 – 3 PDT) Open breakout rooms
7 – 9 pm EDT (4 – 6 pm PDT) Quaker organization to be scheduled: issues and concerns
Thursday
11:30 am – 12:00 noon EDT (8:30 – 9 am PDT) Meeting for Worship
12 – 3 pm EDT (9 am – 12 noon PDT) Meeting for Worship for Research (1 – 2 presentations with mid-period break)
4:30 – 6 pm EDT (1:30 – 3 PDT) Open breakout rooms
7 – 9 pm EDT (4 – 6 pm PDT) Quaker organization to be scheduled: issues and concerns
Friday
11:30 am – 12:00 noon EDT (8:30 – 9 am PDT) Meeting for Worship
12 – 3 pm EDT (9 am – 12 noon PDT) Meeting for Worship for Research (1 – 2 presentations with mid-period break)
4:30 – 6 pm EDT (1:30 – 3 PDT) Reflections on the 2025 SRS