FAQ

The phrase is open to interpretation and imagination. For starters, we hope it evokes the varied forms of mind, cognition, and intelligence that are exhibited by organisms, entities, cultures, and collectives of different sorts, whether human, animal, or artificial. But what counts as intelligence? We’re still trying to figure that out.

We engage with research from all disciplines of inquiry—the only criterion is that it shed light on diverse intelligences. We suggest browsing our past faculty pages to get a fuller sense of the types of work we’re likely to showcase at the institute.

Yes—and in lots of ways! You can watch a selection of “Big Picture” faculty lectures here. Or you can listen to Many Minds, our podcast on diverse intelligences themes. Or you can check out the grantees of the Templeton World Charity Foundation Diverse Intelligences Initiative.

The DISI experience may not be typical for artist residencies. We are looking for storytellers who want to engage rather than disengage. We expect our storytellers to participate fully in the program, attending the same lectures and activities as our academic fellows. That said, there is also a healthy amount of designated project time in the schedule; storytellers can choose to devote this time to personal projects or to group projects with others at the institute.

Visit the Center for Possible Minds for more details.

Yes! The Diverse Intelligences Summer Institute welcomes applicants from all career stages, from within and beyond academia.

Maybe! We are looking for participants with interesting ideas and a passion for collaborating across disciplinary lines. If this describes you, please apply or reach out for more information.

Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, we will cover most of the cost of participation in the institute (including lodging and most meals). We ask admitted participants to seek travel funding from their home institutions or employers; a limited number of travel scholarships are available. We work hard to ensure that no one is unable to attend for lack of funding, so please do not let financial concerns be a barrier to applying.

We are less likely to admit first year graduate students, but of course you’re welcome to apply. Each application will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and we’ve had some excellent participants early in their graduate careers.

Unfortunately, no. In order to create meaningful interdisciplinary dialogue, we need all participants to engage fully. We thus ask that all admits, upon acceptance, commit to attending the entire program and to being housed with other participants.

We work hard to ensure that we can accommodate a variety of special needs. Please contact us to discuss specific accommodations to help us be fully prepared for you.

In an effort to make DISI accessible and family-friendly, we have earmarked modest funds to help defray additional costs for those who are primary caregivers (for children or elders) and who would not otherwise be able to attend. These funds will be awarded on a case-by-case basis after offers of admission have been made. Parents who bring children with them are expected to attend all official DISI activities; we ask, however, that you not bring children to DISI activities unless explicitly invited to do so. This means that parents will need to arrange caregiving.

Yes! We have already arranged for vegan/vegetarian food and will do our best to accommodate other food restrictions (but do let us know in advance).