The Society of Practical Humanists is a learned society for scholars of the humanities who have pursued career paths outside of academia. We welcome those who have completed PhDs in History, Philosophy, Literature, Classics and other humanistic disciplines, and gone on to found their own companies, work in the private or public sectors, and have generally achieved success through non-academic avenues.

SoPH was founded on a belief in the power and continued relevance of the humanities to pose (and sometimes answer!) questions both contemporary and timeless. The academic industry, however, has become increasingly ill-suited to supporting the professional pursuit of humanistic inquiry; universities continue to train graduate students for an academic job market that shrinks with each passing year. SoPH seeks to provide a community for humanists who have successfully parlayed their scholarly expertise into other contexts, in celebration of the uniquely powerful skill set of individuals who have excelled both within and beyond the ivory tower.

The Society gathers in person regularly and provides an opportunity for members to dialogue with like-minded friends and colleagues; at our annual conference, members are invited to develop and present papers on topics of their choosing. SoPH members also serve as role models and a support network for current doctoral students who are curious about their options beyond the academy or seeking guidance on making that transition. 

If you are interested in joining, please let us know and we'll follow up to learn more about your background.