How do we find ourselves unable to affirm a fundamental element of human experience—the reality and givenness of our being differentiated as male and female, husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters? It is a reality the child first learns at his or her mother’s breast. Why then has it been so widely nullified and its expression increasingly sanctioned? What caused this strange development? The answers lie deep in the theological and philosophical assumptions of modernity.

The 2025 John Paul II Institute’s annual Summer Fellowship “Gender, Technology, and Culture” will engage deeply with the theological and philosophical questions raised by the emergence and seeming success of gender ideology. We will focus on the relationship between the current gender movement, modernity’s dominant scientific and technological understanding of reality, and the rejection of cultural form.

The Fellowship will include lectures, ample time for discussion, cultural events around Washington D.C., and social time among students and with faculty.

The Fellowship will take place May 20-24, at the John Paul II Institute, on the campus of The Catholic University of America. College juniors, seniors, and recent graduates in all majors are welcome to apply.

Application

Prospective Summer Fellows should complete the application form by March 3.  Acceptance notifications will be sent by March 17.

Costs

All Summer Fellows will receive a scholarship that covers the cost of housing in the dorms of The Catholic University of America, meals, and tuition. Participants will be responsible for their own travel to Washington, DC, public transportation expenses, and a $200 registration fee.

Questions may be directed to Elena Martin at [email protected] or 202-526-3799.

The experience was an amazing introduction to the importance of the Catholic faith within our modern world. It was truly eye-opening and thought provoking, and the week was filled with incredible lectures and discussions lead by the amazing professors at the institute. I couldn’t believe how enriching the entire experience was. I would recommend it to everyone. (Charles McIntyre, 2024 Fellow).

 

“The fellowship program was perhaps the most fruitful experience I have ever had. The content of the lectures was both pertinent to today’s societal concerns, as well as willing to ask the tough questions so as to unpack the nature of these different issues which we face. To enrich the experience even further, these academic discussions were complemented by more human and expressive events such as going to the National Art Museum and the Opera. Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention how genuine and unique each of the students in the fellowship were, and how I would never have been able to meet so many interesting people my own age from different backgrounds without this opportunity. To anyone interested, I couldn’t imagine finding a better place to spend five days growing intellectually, culturally, and socially, and walk away with a better understanding of yourself and the world in which we live.” (Max Watson, 2024 Fellow).