Arizona State University’s Center for Science and the Imagination brings writers, artists and other creative thinkers into collaboration with scientists, engineers and technologists to reignite humanity’s grand ambitions for innovation and discovery.
The center serves as a network hub for audacious moonshot ideas and a cultural engine for thoughtful optimism. We provide a space for productive collaboration between the humanities and the sciences, bring human narratives to scientific questions, and explore the full social implications of cutting-edge research.
More about our many projects Meet our staff
Upcoming events
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Oct 21, 2026 | History of the Future: District 9 Majestic Neighborhood Cinema Grill: Tempe at 6:45 pm MST
Our recent books
A playful field guide to imagination: humanity’s greatest superpower and our only hope for surviving the twenty-first century.
A new annotated version of astrophysicist Jayant V. Narlikar’s iconic novel about a cybervirus attack by an alien species, with updated text and added material. Part of the Imagination, Annotated series.
A new annotated edition of Jules Verne’s classic, which considers the past, present, and future of spaceflight from scientific as well as humanistic angles. Part of the Imagination, Annotated series.
Listen to the Imagination Desk podcast
The conversation explores the role of imagination in problem-solving, playwriting, language, culture, and technology. It delves into the impact of imagination on identity, the planet, and ethical considerations in AI.
The conversation covers a wide range of topics related to human-AI interaction, imagination, and the impact of AI on human flourishing. It delves into the role of imagination in shaping AI interactions, the design of AI for human flourishing, and the ethical considerations of AI addiction and dependency.
The conversation explores the intersection of art and technology, the alchemy of language and creativity, the pitfalls of co-creating with AI, and the hopeful future of AI and imagination. It delves into the impact of generative AI on creative agency, the sublime and emergence of style in AI, and the importance of engaging with AI and imagination.
Futures Thinking Tools
We have developed many tools over the years, here are a few you can try out with your own groups.
Futures by Choice | Futures by Chance
This exercise is a futures-thinking activity in which participants complete a timeline through which they imagine the next fifty years.
The Imagination Sketchbook
A self-guided introduction to exploring and expanding your imagination.
Solar Tomorrows Resources
A collection of resources to use with the books Weight of Light and Cities of Light for journalists, teachers and community group leaders.
