01 / THE IDEA

Curiosity does not end at the university gate.

Universities offer more than degrees and jobs. They provide seminars, colleagues, feedback and a place to exchange ideas. Outside academia, much of that infrastructure is harder to find.

SCHOLĒ is an attempt to create such a place independently. We are starting in Berlin, with an open invitation to people elsewhere.

02 / WHAT WE WANT TO DO

Open to newcomers. Serious about scientific standards. No PhD required.

03 / THE MOTIVATION

Why SCHOLĒ?

I'm Johannes, an economist based in Berlin. My academic journey began with a bachelor's degree in History and Classical Archaeology. Rather than continuing with a master's degree in those fields, I decided to study Economics, eventually pursuing a PhD.

During my time as a researcher and lecturer at university, I came to value not only conducting my own research, but also teaching, engaging with other people's work, exploring subjects beyond my own discipline, and constantly learning something new. These were among the most rewarding aspects of academic life for me.

I'm also a father, with a family to support. At this stage of my life, professional and financial stability matter. Moving from one fixed-term academic contract to the next is no longer a path I want to pursue. Yet choosing a more stable career should not mean giving up the things I loved about academia.

I believe that research, teaching, and intellectual exchange should not depend on holding a university position. There should be room for people who want to remain intellectually active without making academia their profession.

This is where the idea for SCHOLĒ comes from. But I don't want to build it alone, nor do I have a finished blueprint for what it should become. I'm looking for people who share this enthusiasm for research, teaching, and learning — people who want to develop the idea together, contribute their own perspectives, and help turn SCHOLĒ into a thriving community.

04 / GET INVOLVED

Let's build SCHOLĒ together.

SCHOLĒ is still an idea in its early stages, not an established institute. I'm looking for people in Berlin who want to shape it together: exchange ideas, organize meetings, offer seminars, start research projects, or help create a community for independent scholarship. You don't need an academic position or a PhD — just curiosity and a willingness to contribute.

As a first step, we'd like to arrange an informal gathering in Berlin to get to know one another and discuss how to build SCHOLĒ together. We've created a temporary Signal group to coordinate the meeting. Which communication channels we use in the future is something we'll decide together.

The Signal group is only for coordinating our first meeting. Joining it is voluntary; you can also contact me by email.