Join us June 22-27, 2025
The Exeter Humanities Institute offers teachers an opportunity to experience the student-centered, discussion-based Harkness pedagogy of Phillips Exeter Academy. Living together on Exeter’s campus for five days, participants learn as students and reflect as teachers.
By engaging with peers from around the world, participants also have a chance to recharge after a year of teaching. While the program primarily serves secondary school teachers of English and History, teachers of other age groups and disciplines – particularly religion, the humanities and languages – are welcome.
Conference programming begins Sunday and includes a Harkness demonstration. On Monday and throughout the week, each day begins with morning classes. Participants study texts before class so they can engage in discussion as either a student, leader or observer. Following the discussion, participants explore issues and strategies of discussion-based learning.
Participants may choose from a variety of afternoon activities: attending workshops on the Harkness pedagogy and presentations on curriculum, preparing for the next day’s assignments, using the Academy library to research new teaching materials or just enjoying the New England campus and town.
Since the first Exeter Humanities Institute in 2000, conference leaders curate texts on a common topic to provide content that encourages interdisciplinary discussions in the classroom.
Join the waitlist
Due to the high demand for this program, we have implemented a waitlist. Please complete this form if you are interested in attending a future institute.
Leadership and Featured Speakers
The conference is led by a team of teachers in the fields of English and History.
Get in touch
Lauren Rosen
Conference manager
conferences@exeter.edu
603-777-4471