"I have a doctorate in sociology and a passion for speculative fiction. My son is pursuing his M.A. in English Literature and a career as a writer/scholar. We’re working to launch a project called the Society for Speculative Societies which will examine the sociocultural aspects of speculative fiction to examine our real-world challenges and future possibilities.

This project will be both serious and satirical. It may even be its own work of speculative fiction. Plans include a website, online community, conference presentations and a podcast. With enough interest, it could become a small nonprofit organization that supports awards/scholarships for creators and scholars.

I would like to use Tutorials to refine the concept and get any feedback on our early steps.

Here is a bit more information regarding how we view the concept:

MISSION: The Society for Speculative Societies is a volunteer-led nonprofit startup dedicated to exploring the social and cultural “what-ifs” of humanity through speculative fiction. We champion curiosity, creativity, and rigorous thought to inspire vibrant possibilities for contemporary and future societies.

WHY IT MATTERS: Speculative fiction is a laboratory for human possibility. The worlds created by authors, artists and other creative practitioners allow us to test ideas about culture, governance, justice, identity, and the future of human society. Yet these dimensions of speculative fiction are often overlooked or overshadowed. The Society for Speculative Societies fills a critical gap by exploring how imagined worlds illuminate our real challenges and future possibilities.

WHO WE ARE: Founded in 2025 by sociologists and literary scholars, the Society for Speculative Societies unites scholars, creators and fans of speculative fiction to investigate how imaginative worlds can inspire, challenge and transform our understanding of society."