Society of Scholars
![scholars discussing a topic around the main Simpson Center conference room table](/sites/default/files/styles/event_image_400_x_350_/public/project_program_images/_MG_7159.jpg?itok=AS7ROj8L)
The Society of Scholars is an intellectual community of humanists of diverse generations, academic ranks, and departmental affiliations who contribute to and learn from one another’s work. Each year, approximately eight faculty and three dissertation research fellowships support members of the Society of Scholars. Scholars in year-long residence at the University of Washington may be invited to participate as well. The group meets biweekly throughout the year to discuss their research in progress.
Apply for the Fellowship (Faculty)
2024 - 2025 Society of Scholars
![Oya Rose Aktaş](/sites/default/files/styles/about_page_people_225x250_/public/people_profiles/headshot.png?itok=9inKGp-E)
![Danya Al-Saleh](/sites/default/files/styles/about_page_people_225x250_/public/people_profiles/20230117_Danya%20Al-Saleh_1047-Edit.jpg?itok=yUPTRpFa)
![Jennifer Baez](/sites/default/files/styles/about_page_people_225x250_/public/people_profiles/JBaez-headshot.jpg?itok=7fDrtPBV)
![Jacob Beckert](/sites/default/files/styles/about_page_people_225x250_/public/people_profiles/Headshot%20copy.jpg?itok=bLJl14Dx)
![Bianca Dang](/sites/default/files/styles/about_page_people_225x250_/public/people_profiles/Bianca%20Dang%20Headshot.jpg?itok=5mjgNn4K)
![Diana Flores Ruíz](/sites/default/files/styles/about_page_people_225x250_/public/people_profiles/D.RUIZ_.jpg?itok=vj3ROiXk)
![Ungsan Kim](/sites/default/files/styles/about_page_people_225x250_/public/people_profiles/UKIM.png?itok=-uu7m-24)
![Josh Reid](/sites/default/files/styles/about_page_people_225x250_/public/people_profiles/Reid%20Mug_0.png?itok=AIEEo4Vv)
![Randa Tawil](/sites/default/files/styles/about_page_people_225x250_/public/people_profiles/ACLS%20photo.jpg?itok=5XQqcqOv)
![Kyle J. Trembley](/sites/default/files/styles/about_page_people_225x250_/public/people_profiles/ratstock.jpg?itok=cqe61UWQ)
![Andreas P. Bassett stands in front of a large shrubbery while wearing a dark jacket blue shirt and tie.](/sites/default/files/styles/about_page_people_225x250_/public/people_profiles/Andreas%20Bassett.jpg?itok=AO1KyWz5)
![Anne Duncan](/sites/default/files/styles/about_page_people_225x250_/public/people_profiles/IMG_4016.png?itok=AIPx4cSX)
![Kathleen Escarcha](/sites/default/files/styles/about_page_people_225x250_/public/people_profiles/Escarcha_Photo2.png?itok=vfl6Omkv)
![medium close-up of Yandong. He is on the left of the frame in a black t-shirt looking at the camera. To the right is a light flare form the setting sun, while the background shows buildings and a park.](/sites/default/files/styles/about_page_people_225x250_/public/people_profiles/y_li_photo.jpg?itok=r9EMNScm)
![Eric Villiers](/sites/default/files/styles/about_page_people_225x250_/public/people_profiles/BES%20Headshot%20Eric%20Villiers%20%28edited%29.jpg?itok=sFskXCtO)
2023 - 2024 Society of Scholars Fellow
![James Pierce stands in front of a white wall with his arms crossed while wearing a black collared shirt and black trousers.](/sites/default/files/styles/calendar_rollup_image_350_x_400_/public/people_profiles/james_pierce_bio_0.jpg?itok=5w8go0Ei)
James Pierce (he/him/his)
Design Speculations: The Real Uses of Unrealized Things
In design studies, the drawings, models, and prototypes that designers make are typically understood as representational plans and in-progress forms. These “as-yet unrealized” things are grasped as instrumental tools for the progressional development and production of so-called real, working technologies. Extending recent writings on speculative design, this book shifts focus onto the multiplicity of ways that unrealized designs offer real and compelling uses because, not in spite of their failure to fully actualize.