Some of the greatest living explorers, writers, artists, and thinkers will join the institute, which takes place on campus and livestreamed around the world. Their conversations will critically examine the concept of exploration in the broadest sense, aiming to inspire an approach that is rooted in inclusivity and reciprocity, while also preserving the magnificence and health of our planet and its people. All events are free and open to the public, but registration is required.
“The Summer Institute is a highlight of the summer season at COA, when community members are invited to take part in important conversations about critical issues,” said COA Dean of Advancement Shawn Keeley. “Exploration has
College of the Atlantic Summer Institute 2023: Reimagining Exploration guest speaker and principal deputy director of the US Centers for Disease Control Dr. Nirav Shah.
brought so many discoveries and insights to humanity, but for far too long we’ve ignored some of the very real human and planetary costs of such pursuits. Hearing from some of the world’s leading explorers and celebrating all we have gained while having hard conversations about how we conduct exploration going forward is an important step in building a better future together.”
The institute features a breadth of keynote speakers who bring decades of knowledge, experience, and action to the conversation. Among these guests is the renowned paleoanthropologist Lee Berger, known for his explorations into human origins in Africa, Asia, and Micronesia; environmental artist Andy Goldsworthy, whose art pieces blur the line between human and nature; Sylvia Earle whose lifetime of exploring the ocean has provided us with countless discoveries and insights; Moriba Jah, associate professor of aerospace engineering and engineering mechanics at the University of Texas at Austin who is pioneering what it means to be a “space environmentalist;” Nirav Shah, principal deputy director of the US CDC and recent leader of Maine’s COVID-19 response as former director of the Maine CDC; and Dr. Michael Bogenschutz, an addiction psychiatrist whose research focuses on psilocybin and its potential to treat alcohol abuse disorder and other addiction diseases.
National Geographic explorer-in-residence and oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle shares her lifetime of work at the 2023 College of the Atlantic Summer Institute: Reimagining Exploration.The institute kicks off Monday evening, July 31 with “Expanding Exploration: Indigenous Futures and Perspectives,” featuring National Geographic Explorers Keolu Fox and Kiliii Yüyan in conversation with Abbe Museum executive director Betsy Richards. Morning and evening sessions continue through Friday, Aug. 4. Guests include National Geographic Society CEO Jill Tiefenthaler, historian and author Adam Goodheart, National Public Radio TED Radio Hour host Manoush Zomorod, sci-fi author Kim Stanley Robinson, and more.
Cocktail receptions follow each evening session, with a special appearance on Tuesday, Aug. 1 of the Samba Meets Jazz musicians who will offer Brazilian and Afro-Cuban jazz. On Friday, Aug. 4, the institute closes with “Our Ocean: Lessons from the Deep,” a conversation with environmental journalist Andrew Revkin and National Geographic Explorer Sylvia Earle.
The institute is free but registration is required. Please visit coa.edu/si to learn more.
More about The Summer Institute
The Summer Institute is College of the Atlantic’s week-long ideas festival that welcomes experts from around the world to share their perspectives on the most pressing issues of our time. The Summer Institute is supported by the generosity of COA Champlain Society members. Learn more at coa.edu/si.
Dr. Moriba Jah, associate professor of aerospace engineering and engineering mechanics at the University of Texas at Austin, joins the 2023 College of the Atlantic Summer Institute: Reimagining Exploration.More about The National Geographic Society
For more than 130 years, the National Geographic Society has funded the best and brightest individuals dedicated to scientific discovery and understanding of our world. Their historic commitment to dauntless exploration dates back to their founding in 1888 when 33 prominent scholars and scientists established an organization dedicated to the “increase and diffusion of knowledge.” Today, National Geographic Explorers are continuing to push the boundaries of knowledge, uncovering new insights about the natural and cultural worlds, and strengthening our connection to them and one another. Learn more at nationalgeographic.org/society
More about COA
College of the Atlantic is the first college in the US to focus on the relationship between humans and the environment. The intentionally small school of 350 students and 35 faculty enriches the liberal arts tradition through a distinctive educational philosophy—human ecology. A human-ecological perspective integrates knowledge from all academic disciplines and from personal experience to investigate—and ultimately improve—the relationships between human beings and our social, natural, built, and technological environments. The human ecological perspective guides all aspects of education, research, activism, and interactions among the college’s students, faculty, staff, and trustees. Learn more at coa.edu.