Polymath Fellowship

The world’s first human accelerator

“The combination of modules, the inclusion of expert mentors, and the focus on real-world problem solving make this an innovative fellowship for those that want to make a real impact. I haven’t seen anything like it in my 30+ years in education.”

– Dr. David Staley, Professor & Author

The Polymath Fellowship is the world’s first human accelerator.

Expert mentors. Nine months of learning. A $2,000 project grant. Make your impact as a Polymath Fellow.

We are more interconnected and technologically enabled than ever before. And with that interconnectedness, the challenges we work on are growing increasingly complex. Understanding that complexity, and creating solutions to human-scale challenges, requires investment in human-level skills more than ever before. The next decade of innovation will be driven by leaders and change-makers who have mastered the ability to connect the dots, to operate across traditional silos, and to lead diverse teams. The rigorous Polymath Fellowship – a mini-master’s certificate program – has been designed to develop these skills in talented, early career professionals.

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Built around each fellow’s chosen wicked problem – the complex challenge they want to focus on throughout their fellowship – the curriculum develops skills that can be universally applied. Each Polymath Fellow will be matched with three expert mentors related to their wicked problem, and who will help each fellow uniquely apply the skills delivered through weekly sessions. Fellows will also learn and work to deliver their Impact Project within a community of 15 fellows all seeking to develop skills to solve the world’s most challenging problems.

Systems Thinking

This module builds each fellow’s understanding of systems models and dynamics as they analyze their chosen wicked problem, the various elements that contribute to both the creation of the problem and its intractability. Sequenced as one of the first modules of the fellowship, this module will help the fellow appropriately scope their culminating Impact Project on the part of the system most likely to result in positive outcomes.

Learning outcomes:

Comprehend key principles of systems thinking
Identify and model systems
Analyze systemic interactions and behaviors
Evaluate system performance and sustainability
Apply systems thinking to real-world problems
Develop strategic interventions
Communicate systems thinking insights

Accelerating Impact with Technology

Technology is an enabler for outcomes across all sectors, if you know how to use it. This module builds fluency with the language, infrastructure, and application of artificial intelligence and data. Not only will fellows understand how to leverage artificial intelligence to be more effective, but they will be able to capture new opportunities and communicate a narrative with data analysis based on sounds data principles.

Learning outcomes:

Understanding the fundamentals of artificial intelligence
Apply statistical methods to data analysis
Manipulate and manage data
Comprehend basic technology infrastructure
Implement AI algorithms
Create effective data visualizations
Analyze the ethical implications of AI and data use

Leadership through Inquiry

Gone are the days when leaders are expected to have every answer. 21st century leadership is about empowering others and drawing out the unique skills of your teammates with curiosity and humility. This module teaches fellows to leverage targeted questions and drive individual and organizational outcomes by understanding teammates and identifying productive vs. unproductive conversation and debate.

Learning outcomes:

Understand the principles of effective collaboration
Develop effective inquiry skills
Demonstrate active listening and communication
Cultivate leadership in collaborative settings
Apply problem-solving techniques in teams
Enhance interpersonal skills for teamwork
Evaluate and reflect on collaborative processes

Knowledge Translation

There is a wide gap between learning a concept and applying a concept, and this module will bridge that gap. Borrowing from methodologies that are taught and well understood in healthcare, understanding knowledge translation will help fellows drive action based on learnings in any field. This skill is increasingly important as the speed of innovation continues to accelerate across industries, and will future-proof fellows in their careers.

Learning outcomes:

Define the practice and science of knowledge translation and its components
Explain his/her role as a leader or facilitator of knowledge translation
Describe the Knowledge-to-Action Framework
Provide an example of a knowledge translation project

Human-Centered Design

Process is where good ideas go to die, unless leaders understand how to design for actual, not ideal or imagined, human behavior. Human-centered design has taken root over the last decade in technology and innovation oriented organizations. This module will empower Polymath Fellows with the skills to apply this methodology in their own setting and in support of their impact project.

Learning outcomes:

Understand the principles of design thinking
Apply empathy to understand user needs
Formulate clear problem statements
Generate creative ideas and solutions
Develop prototypes for iterative testing
Conduct user testing and gather feedback
Collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary teams

Introduction to Polymathy

Being a polymath isn’t a commonly discussed concept in the United States, but academic research over the last 15 years have identified the core traits of polymaths – breadth, depth, and integration – as having outsized impact on their capacity for creativity and complex problem solving. Developing a polymathic orientation is a lifelong pursuit, and this module helps fellows understand and begin executing their own path to polymathy.

Learning outcomes:

Understand, nurture, and apply curiosity and passion
Develop a day-to-decade personal rhythm to developing breadth, depth, and integration
Develop ontological thinking
Understand interdisciplinary integration
Identify cross-disciplinary connections
Personal data management systems & organization

Impact Project

Each Polymath Fellow will be required to design, scope, and deliver a unique impact project related to their wicked problem.

The $2,000 grant that each Polymath Fellow is awarded will support moving their work forward and broadening their audience.

For policy professionals, it may be a policy memo and advocacy plan. For entrepreneurs, it may be a business plan and pitch. For business leaders, it may be a significant project or research plan within their organization. It may be event-based or publication-based. Appropriately leveraging your three mentors will be critical in moving this forward. This is less about being a summative assessment for Polymath University and more about producing something of value to your learning and your career progression.

Learn more by visiting Fellowship Logistics & Details or our Frequently Asked Questions.