Speculative fiction has long been the most popular form of storytelling. Humankind is living in the future, now, a world changing incredibly, incomprehensibly, fast. What if? What's next? What else? What does it mean to be human in a universe filled with other forms of life? What's "human," anyway? SF explores these and other questions through art that informs, entertains, extrapolates, and inspires. (More about this in "Defining Science Fiction" and our statement on diversity, inclusivity, and commitment to equity.)

The Ad Astra Institute is a 501(c)3 nonprofit bringing creators, readers, educators, and fans of SF together with STEM professionals to study and create speculative fiction. At its heart, Ad Astra is a community: The people we work with create and teach art that opens minds and imaginations, reaching for the stars and "Saving the world through science fiction!"

Our award-winning staff and faculty have been involved in SF for decades - running conventions, conferences, workshops, and research centers, as well as publishing in the field.

We believe stories grow empathy - necessary for creating a livable future. They touch hearts and souls and bring us closer, and the unique perspectives of SF deepen empathy so the Other becomes someone we can care about.

We bring the "two cultures" - science and the arts - together to help prepare for what's to come, bridging the divide by showcasing cutting-edge research while helping creatives engage with forces rapidly re-shaping our world. Through expert talks, creative workshops, masterclasses, teacher-education and public-interest courses, social-media outreach, media and textual inspiration, and more that you'll find on this website, we seek to educate and enrich creatives and the broader public alike. And we're always looking to partner with creative educators and STEM professionals to grow our offerings.

We actively encourage people from diverse backgrounds to collaborate in the creative process. Most of our course offerings are available in-person and streaming to enable people from around the world to participate whether or not they can attend in person, and our content gets posted to our YouTube and other social media, and throughout this website. We offer scholarships to offer access for people of all economic situations, and you can help support this fund by making a charitable donation.

"The exercise of imagination is dangerous to those who profit from the way things are because it has the power to show that the way things are is not permanent, not universal, not necessary."
- Ursula K. Le Guin

Join us in working to save the world through science fiction!

Updates
We've launched seven new classes through Ad Astra Universe-ity! They're all taking applications for Spring 2026.
Director Chris McKitterick to serve as Author Guest of Honor at ConStellation 15, where he'll launch his newest book.
Associate Director Kij Johnson's cozy RiverBank role-playing game is out now!
Fall 2026 "Writing Spec-Fic Humor" workshop - starts October and runs through early December. Apply next summer!
Our blog page is now live.
We continue to host Ad Astra Creative Solidarity writing, discussion, support, and critique groups in our Discord - join the fun!
Experimental particle physicist and SF expert Phil Baringer joined us as Guest Instructor for the Fall "Science of SF Writing" Workshop.

Stay tuned for more! In the meantime...

Connect with Ad Astra