In academic science settings, most thinking about evolution is done with a view to personal safety. What you don’t want to do is come up with results that could fall into the hands of the “creationists” and give encouragement to anyone who is open to recognizing evidence of design in nature. Even worse, if you’re a professor, you don’t want to be seen as communicating ideas like that to your students.

In the current environment on campuses, a rare outpost of unsafe science is our Summer Seminars on intelligent design, July 8-16 in Seattle. The deadline for applying is April 7, which is Thursday of next week! If you think either seminar track might be right for you, or for a student friend of yours, find an overview here. And please share it widely! Look here for more information on the seminar on Intelligent Design in the Natural Sciences, and the C.S. Lewis Fellows Program on Science and Society. Scholarships are available.

Intelligent design may be perilous in the academic world at large but our Seminars are a haven for open inquiry and following the evidence where it leads. We are training the next generation of ID researchers. This is where it’s happening. And our students appreciate that. Here’s what some participants from last summer had to say:

The summer seminars provide a stimulating, dynamic, and safe environment for free inquiry and discussion. The quality of speakers at these events is astounding! It is a true honor to be able to participate in such an event. This aspect of education is largely missing from the university setting, and I am so glad to have been able to attend. The information learned and concepts discussed through the course of this week will continue to influence my own patterns of thinking as well as my future career trajectory.

It’s a respite from pressure to conform. Says another student:

Thank you so much for this opportunity. As an evolutionary biologist I’ve been working in an environment totally hostile towards ID and have been isolated from others of ID leanings. This week has been tremendously helpful in helping crystallize arguments for design and showing up weaknesses in unguided evolution that I’ve never encountered before. Great discussion, great networking — and a whole lot to mull over as I go back to my research!

And a chance to meet and enjoy the company of likeminded seekers:

This seminar offered a chance for me to acquaint myself with others who have similar interests and concerns about the world. The variety of students and professionals offered an amazing realm of stimulating discussion that furnished me with new arguments to consider and strengthened me in the area, not only because of the invaluable information provided, but also because of the wonderful people who had amazing insights to share both in and out of classes.

Isn’t it interesting that for a real liberal education, where no idea is forbidden, this — rather than your home university however supposedly “liberal” — is the place to go? A student observes:

I come from a very liberal university where I study a natural science and my department is very supportive of neo-Darwinism. I have always supported ID theoretically but applying it to my studies and understanding of a field takes a whole different perspective. This seminar was very helpful in teaching how other fields view ID and the evidence for or against it as well as how my own field views it. It also helped give me a more practical view of when and how to share my ID views. I am looking forward to continue furthering my knowledge on ID and evolution and sharing my views with questioning peers or faculty if the opportunity presents itself. Overall I am very thankful to have been a part of this seminar!

Finally:

I’m very thankful to the Discovery Institute, especially those who have funded their endeavors, and ultimately mine, for the opportunity to come to Seattle and further engage in the intelligent design debate. The week spent here was truly empowering, for reasons ranging from the cultural impact of the debate to the concerted effort needed to change the course of scientific history. Thank you for your generosity in allowing me to come.

Yes, thank you again to our friends and donors who make this possible each year. The Center for Science & Culture is changing the course of future scientific history, one summer at a time. If you would consider offering your own generous gift to advance the cause of academic freedom for another generation of students in science and the humanities, please do so now by going here.

Photos: Richard Sternberg, John West, and Ann Gauger, by Janine Solfelt.