Testimonials

Carlo Rovelli

Professor

Aix-Marseille

FQxI is a fundamental resource in the landscape of contemporary intellectual work in science. Thank you FQxI!

I think that FQxI, it’s a fundamental resource in the landscape of contemporary intellectual work in science. A lot of scientific research today, the very large majority of it, it’s in one way or another oriented toward the technical, or practical, or useful applications, which is very good, but it misses a deep reflection of the foundations. There are very few supporting structures for bringing together the thinkers that think about the depth of the foundations of our current understanding of reality on the basis of what science tells us and I think FQxI is one of the very few, if not almost the unique one that plays this role. I’m extremely grateful that for what it has provided for me, in terms of connection with other people, in terms of resources for doing things, in terms of the fantastic ideas that I’ve seen there developed, taken seriously, discussed, abandoned, or sometimes brought to success. Thank you FQxI!

Jeremy Butterfield

Doctor

University of Cambridge

For philosophy, which aims to give the big picture about humans and their place in nature, fundamental science is a gold-mine. FQxI has played a unique, and indispensable role, in breaking down the traditional disciplinary boundaries between science and philosophy. Long may it continue to do so!

Over the past 16 years, FQxI has been very successful in bringing together science, especially physics, and philosophy. That endeavour is invaluable. For fundamental science, in particular physics, has yielded extraordinary insights in to nature, and has shown human ingenuity, both conceptual and experimental, at its best. So for philosophy, which aims to give the big picture about humans and their place in nature, fundamental science is a gold-mine. And FQxI has played a unique, and indispensable role, in breaking down the traditional disciplinary boundaries between science and philosophy. Long may it continue to do so!

Joshua Deutsch

Professor of Physics

UC Santa Cruz

FQxI has had an impact on science that vastly exceeds its size and resources.

From my perspective, FQxI has had an impact on science that vastly exceeds its size and resources. Its funding model distinguishes itself from more traditional sources, by selecting high quality proposals that emphasize originality and creativity. Their approach is far more likely to lead to real advances than, say, the U.S.’s NSF and NIH, where it is widely acknowledged that new and innovative submissions get squelched, all too often. Their grant calls are well chosen to be in broad areas which are of fundamental importance, and not part of some fleeting trend. They get applications from a wide range of researchers in science, philosophy, and history. Lastly, its highly original meetings have had an enormous influence on my thinking, and many other researchers, in ways that are very significant.

Eric Cavalcanti

Associate Professor

Griffith University

FQxI grants have given me the “excuse” I needed to justify working on topics I am passionate about and have given me a valuable lifeline before obtaining a permanent position. I probably would no longer be in academia were it not for FQxI.