SPECIAL EVENT: The Future of Integral Studies: You are invited to co-lead our 10th Anniversary Colloquium


A Decade of Emergence - IFIS Anniversary Colloquium

Dear members

We are approaching a significant milestone for the Institute for Integral Studies (IFIS): For almost a decade, our Online Colloquium has now served as a global laboratory for integral thought, hosting almost 90 sessions that have bridged the gap between meta-theory and social action. 

To celebrate the 10th Anniversary of our Online Colloquium in November 2026, we are hosting a landmark hybrid Summit experience focusing on: "The Future of Integral Studies”, to discuss questions like the following:

  • How has the need for Integral Studies changed? 

  • In which area do you think there is still the need for Integral Studies? 

  • What specific needs do you see with regard to Integral Studies? Why?

  • What is your contribution? And what will your contribution be?

  • What does Integral Studies look like today? And what might Integral Studies look like tomorrow?

In view of this celebration, we look back at a rich archive of almost 90 sessions that have shaped the institute's profile – and with it, the landscape of integral studies. IFIS was founded to go beyond AQAL, thus, from the early presentations of emerging scholarly work to our recent deep-dives into "Integral Political Philosophy" or "Regenerative Wisdom and Indigenous Culture," this forum has thrived because of the intellectual diversity within our membership.

Our Analysis of the Decade: In preparing for this anniversary, our research into the colloquium’s evolution reveals a clear trajectory. We have embraced both abstract theory and embodied practice in changing proportions. However, as we look toward the next decade, we recognize a need to tackle "missing links" in our field. With that, we would like to enlist your help! 

Our invitation: To mark this milestone, we are organizing a special event “The Future of Integral Studies." We specifically invite you to contribute in whichever ways that you feel called to in order to help us foster "Co-Creative We-Spaces." To indicate your interest, please click here to fill out the intake-form. 

Why Your Voice is Essential: Whether you are and Advisory Board Member, Full or Associates Member, we need your help and leadership: 

  • to bridge what we have built over the last 10 years into an emergent future.
  • to challenge our current paradigms — how can your specific contribution in your field push the boundaries of current integral meta-studies?
  • to provide a "View for the Future,", and a “View from the Future” to help us calibrate our research for the digital-native generations.


Event Schedule and Overview:

The anniversary special consists of three separate events, followed by our regular annual members retreat (for which you will receive a separate invitation):

  1. an open In-person Retreat open to members and interested guests at Haus Maria Lindenberg (Black Forest), September 10th-13th, 2026

  2. a public Online session on November 10th, 2026 | 7 PM - 10 PM CET

  3. an Online session for IFIS members only on Nov 11, 2026 | 7 PM - 10 PM CET

  4. an informal in-person Retreat for members only on Nov 12-15 at Häuslemeierhof (separate invitation and registration via our website)

Here is some more info about each of these events and how you can contribute:

  1. Open In-person Retreat 

We imagine this in-person retreat as a forum for exchange and co-creation around the Future of Integral Studies, between IFIS members and likeminded colleagues and friends. Here are the details and logistics for your consideration:

  • Date: September 10th-13th, 2026
  • Location: https://www.haus-maria-lindenberg.de/
  • Cost: varied, depending on options (between €375 and €495, not including travel cost)
  • For additional information, please see attached brochure.
  • Possible contributions: mini-keynotes or other inputs, hosting/facilitating discovery and/or co-creative sessions

If you are also interested in making any of these contributions during our retreat, please click here to fill out your interest and availability by June 5, 2026. 

  1. Virtual Event 1: Public Online session: November 10th, 2026 | 7 PM - 10 PM CET

We imagine this public Online event as a mini-summit, inviting a couple of short keynotes or inspirational statements on the Future of Integral Studies by our Advisory Board members, members and/or external guests, followed by panel discussions and breakout groups, as well as some time for meeting & greeting afterwards.

For this event, we invite both substantial contributions from members and help with facilitating breakout sessions. What you can contribute:

  • Be a keynote presenter;
  • Join panel discussion
  • Lead break-out sessions.
  • Join Member Spotlight: A retrospective gallery highlighting the impact of your publications and projects to the field of Integral Studies since joining IFIS.

 

  1. Internal Online session – IFIS member only: Nov 11, 2026 | 7 PM - 10 PM CET. 

This is a more informal space for IFIS members to reflect about our own and the Institute’s trajectory around Integral Studies over the last years, as well as for deliberation about future directions. This session will be less formalized, but follow roughly the same structure – and invite the same roles – as the public one, depending on your contributions 😊

Please click here to access the intake-form to fill out your interest and availability by June 5, 2026.

We understand that not every one of you will be able to make the above dates. We would still very much welcome your support and contribution in other ways. Therefore, we offer the following opportunities for participation beyond active presence during these events:

 

  • Contribute prepared content (such as a recorded Video or written statement) for us to share with the IFIS community and beyond;
  • Create content for and facilitate (an) online seminar(s);
  • Present at future online colloquium;
  • Create content for and deliver educational/training program(s) through Integral Academy;

Please use this intake-form to let us know your availability and preferred contribution(s) by June 5, 2026.

We very much look forward to hearing back from you – and to co-create our anniversary events together!

Your presence is not just a celebration of where we have been, but a necessary step toward where we are going.

In presence and gratitude,

Bettina Elke Angelika

The IFIS Board* 

(Dr. Bettina Geiken, Dr. Elke Fein, Angelika Pohnitzer)

* With special thanks to Lily Troung for her extraordinary help with preparing this event invitation!