I'm running a prototype Science House this summer in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Three to five researchers will live together, goof off, do some science, and post it on the internet. You'll also be connected to two other hacker houses, one focused on neurotech and one focused on startups, so there will be lots of folks to hang out with. I'm pretty excited!

This is a great opportunity for someone who is interested in doing science outside the traditional structures of academia. It's totally fine if you're still affiliated with academia, especially if you're looking for a way out (who isn't?).

Science House will provide housing for the summer. (Wouldn't be much of a house if it didn't.) I'm working on raising money to provide a stipend for living expenses, but that's still up in the air.

How do I apply?

There is no application, really, because I don't think applications work. Instead, if you want to express interest, do a piece of scientific research and post it on the internet. Then email me the link at summersciencehouse@gmail.com. That's all!

(If you're already posting science on the internet, even better––send me the link!)

I'm most interested in research that:

  1. Is empirical, meaning it collects data about the world.

  2. Exemplifies the Scientific Virtues.

Here are some examples: How Not to Do Science, Lady Tasting Brine, An Account of the Discovery of a Comet, Things Could Be Better, A Slightly Tipsy Investigation into My Wife's Superpower, , Potato Trial, Aella's surveys, Experimental Fat Loss, Gwern on sleep, Elizabeth von Nostrand, Scott Alexander, Unquantifiable Error in Graphene Stiffness, Electron Band in Germanium Structure, My Ass,

What if I don't have lots of research funds, access to lab equipment, etc.?

I'm looking for people who do their best with what they have. Scrappiness is way more valuable than fanciness!

Do I have to do psychology?

Nope! That's what I know best, so if you want to grow mushrooms or something, I won't have much expertise to help you. But that's not a dealbreaker for me.

Could I still participate if I have some plans for this summer already?

Yep. The dates are flexible.

Is there a deadline?

I'm hoping to fill these slots by April 1, so the sooner you do your thing and notify me, the better.

Can folks from outside the US participate?

I wish I could say yes, but unfortunately I don't think we'll be able to get you sponsored for a visa in time, so you'd have to be eligible to be in the US already. Our immigration system sucks and I'm sorry for that.

You can read more about the ideas behind Science House here: