Summer of Sci-Fi

Science fiction is, arguably, the most politically useful genre of storytelling humans have invented. Here's why: it lets us talk about the things we can't quite say plainly yet.

Sci-fi demands that its writers build the alternative. You don't just blow up the system; you have to figure out what the survivors do on Tuesday.

Sci-fi holds space for the hardest conversations.

And I want to have more of those conversations, don’t you?

The vision: create a cohort of professionals to nerd out together over the summer. 

  • A series of emails and blogs dissecting themes from eco-futurism to Cylon autonomy

  • Writing and conversation prompts to engage with on your own terms

  • Get to meet other people who care about the same things you do, and are interesting are committed to holding space for these conversations

  • A handful of virtual and IRL group meetups to connect

  • Embrace new possibilities as they evolve organically

You don’t have to be a card carrying Trekkie to be involved. Whether sci-fi is a genre you haven’t explored, or you write X-files fanfiction, there’s space for you.

While we’ll be tackling tough, important issues, what we will centre above all is something we can all use a bit more of: hope.

We can go further together. If you want to come along for the ride, sign up now.

If we want a better world, we need to begin by imagining one.

One of my biggest frustrations in the social impact sector — and I say this with love, truly — is that we are extraordinarily good at analyzing why things are broken and significantly less practiced at collectively imagining what comes next. If you’re fighting for a better world, what does that look like?

Which is why I’ve started a journey with some of my favourite co-conspirators, The Summer of Sci-Fi.

Will you join us?

Various icons from left to right: The Doctor's Tardis, a heart, Leeloo diving, a star, Scully and Mulder

Your Questions, Answered

  • Summer of Sci-Fi is a nine-week community experience for social impact professionals — people working in nonprofits, charities, labour organizations, government, politics, and B-corps. Over the summer, we explore ideas about power, solidarity, technology, and change through the lens of science fiction: essays, discussions, events, and community conversation.

  • The Summer of Sci-Fi will begin in earnest for all who sign up starting mid-May and run towards the end of August, 2026.

  • Not at all. You need to be curious and willing to think — that's it.

    All content provides all the context you need to engage with the ideas, even if you've never seen the show or read the book. You don't need to have watched Battlestar Galactica to have thoughts about how power gets legitimized. You don't need to have read Le Guin to have feelings about mutual aid.

    If you already love sci-fi, fantastic. If you've always been vaguely curious, this is a great entry point. If you're mostly here for the community and conversations, welcome.

  • As much or as little as you want. Here's a rough guide:

    • Minimum engagement: Read one essay (15–25 min) and leave a comment — maybe once a month

    • Moderate engagement: Read most posts, attend one or two events

    • Full engagement: Read everything, attend events, participate in discussions, contribute to the community directory

    There are no attendance requirements, no due dates, and no grades. This is designed to work around your summer, not compete with it.

  • Membership is completely free. There is no cost to join, access the blog, or attend events.

    You will need to create an account to be able to leave comments and access some content.

    You will not be opted into any marketing lists. You will not be upsold on anything.

  • This is a project conceived and developed by Terra Loire Gillespie (they/them). Terra is a progressive communications and advocacy strategist based in Toronto, Ontario. They run Terra Etc. which works with nonprofits, charities, labour organizations, and social impact businesses to communicate about issues that matter — climate, labour rights, health equity, democracy, and more.

    Terra believes that the ability to imagine a better world is not a luxury — it's a core political skill. Summer of Sci-Fi is a project born from that belief.