Athanasian Hall, Cambridge

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Athanasian Hall, Cambridge (AHC) was originally founded in 2020 as a Quadrivium research institute in the historic university city of Cambridge, UK. From 2021-2022, research objectives of the 40 affiliated scholars focused almost exclusively upon pure mathematics and mathematical physics. Effective Spring, 2023, the founding Principal (Jonathan Kenigson) and external consultants undertook a re-evaluation of institutional objectives in an effort to more faithfully align AHC with Mortimer Adler’s “great books” paradigm. 

The original vision for AHC that was gradually developed from 2012-2018 demanded that the institute remain faithful to Quadrivium research using predominantly primary sources. Beginning in 2024, AHC will transition to a classical institute in which prominent scientists, mathematicians, and philosophers engage in broad, interdisciplinary dialogue regarding issues of pressing importance to human intellectual, ethical, and spiritual flourishing. 

Fellowships.

Fellows may enter AHC only by nomination of an existing fellow. Responses to applicant-initiated requests for affiliation will not be entertained unless one or more existing fellows agrees to referee the application. Technically, the only qualifications required for affiliation are outstanding academic aptitude, an undergraduate degree, and an enduring interest in the perennial classics of Western civilization. Junior fellows (styled SSc) will typically possess a graduate degree of high rigor and several refereed publications. 

Regular fellows (styled FSc) will typically possess an earned doctorate with a dissertation of high quality, 10 or more refereed publications, and a concurrent faculty position at a degree-granting academic institution. 

Senior fellows (styled DSc) must possess a research doctorate and exhibit a portfolio of published works judged by impartial reviewers to be both world-leading and interdisciplinary. DSc fellowship would only be conferred after an individual demonstrated published portfolios in 3 or more scientific fields and exhibited a sustained, lifelong inquiry into the “great books” canon. Working proficiency in several classical and modern languages is a de-facto prerequisite for this level of fellowship.

Visiting fellows are appointed on an annual basis in accordance with the needs and values of AHC. Visiting fellowships do not confer an academic rank, but may be renewable for additional periods. 

AHC is a venue for candidates of outstanding academic potential (equivalent to a Cambridge fellow) but academic interests in the Quadrivium that are too broad or interdisciplinary to be accommodated by a university. AHC does not have any institutional affiliation with the University of Cambridge. However, fellows at the rank of FSc or above will be expected to apply for academic posts or additional study at the University of Cambridge or the University of Oxford. 

Attendance at interdisciplinary, research-level Oxford or Cambridge seminars and colloquia is strongly encouraged. Online attendance at relevant university functions are permissible, but open admission courses, courses at undergraduate level, or seminars offered exclusively by departments of continuing education in asynchronous formats will not typically be held to fulfill this expectation. 

Studentships.

Beginning in 2024, AHC will provide academic support to advanced secondary- and university-level students in the USA, UK, and Ireland who seek classical instruction in the Quadrivium arts. Admission for academic support is extremely selective and determined by the interests and aptitudes of the individual fellows of AHC. We do not seek to train research scientists, but rather to provide venues of broad intellectual inquiry to advanced students. AHC is not a fee-for-service institution and does not grant degrees or diplomas of any kind.

Location.

AHC is currently seeking a new location in the Cambridge Research Centre. Pandemic-related disruptions and associated travel restrictions made remote work the only alternative for continued operation. Until 2023, the main academic offices were located on old King’s Hedges Road, with an additional meeting on-demand centre in King’s Meadow (Oxford) and corporation headquarters in London.

List of Fellows.

Due to UK Data Protection Act (DPA) restrictions, we will only provide the legal names of fellows upon request. Requests for academic records, employment information, or other sensitive information will only be collected or divulged to third parties as prescribed by law.