IndieScholars.org presents

A 1-year program for advanced independent study

Next cohort starts July 29, 2025.

Computer

Our promise

Write and publish the best work of your life.


Build a platform, design a research agenda, connect with peers, and build an original body of work with feedback and support from a professional.

Justin Murphy

Justin Murphy received his PhD in 2014 and worked as a professor for 5 years before going independent on the internet in 2019.His research has appeared in IEEE Intelligent Systems, Foreign Affairs, International Studies Quarterly, and other peer-reviewed journals.Murphy now conducts his research and teaching on the internet full-time. He writes books, teaches online courses, and runs Other Life—a newsletter and podcast about philosophy and technology.Murphy started the first version of IndieScholars in 2019 because people started asking him for advice.

Justin Murphy

Curriculum

IndieScholars.org combines pre-recorded lecture videos and weekly group meetings with 1-on-1 project supervision in the style of MA and PhD programs. Over the course of 12 months.Over the first few weeks, we cover everything you need to know about building serious, long-term, independent writing projects on the internet. You'll build the infrastructure you need and begin writing. You'll receive focused, honest, and personal feedback periodically throughout the year, and you'll finish with a polished online web presence, a sustainable production system, the best writing you've ever produced in your life, and a clear plan for developing your project sustainably over time.Here are some of the things you'll learn:

  1. The new playbook for reading, writing, and teaching as a vocation in the post-institutional era

  2. How to identify your best and biggest idea

  3. How to frame your best and biggest idea

  4. How to position your work for a public audience

  5. How to design a research agenda

  6. How to publish consistently and effectively

  7. Why "Personal Knowledge Management" is a myth

  8. Why "Audience-Building" is a myth

  9. How to plan, write, publish, and sell a book

  10. How to design, teach, and sell courses

  11. How to frame consulting and business services around your writing

  12. The complete Indie Scholar model for building a full-time, 6-figure income reading, writing, and teaching on the internet

Course Details

Next cohort starts July 29, 2025.

Content

When you enroll, you'll be invited to book a first 1-on-1 call with me. We'll discuss your ideas and goals at length, and form an initial plan.Week 1• Private 1-on-1 Orientation (1 hour)
• Work through the curriculum on your own time
Week 1-52• Group Q&A Sessions every Tuesday at 1pm CentralWeek 26• Private 1-on-1 Call for Review, Feedback, and Planning (1 hour)Week 52• Private 1-on-1 Call for Final Review, Feedback, and Planning (1 hour)

Community

After enrolling, you will receive an invitation to our private community.This is where participants share ideas, ask questions, exchange feedback, and organize extra-curricular events. The community also features a member directory and a searchable archive of all past discussions.The course community is private for participants in the course, but it's embedded in the larger Other Life community with 500+ academics, bloggers, authors, podcasters, Youtubers, founders, and investors working on long-term intellectual projects.

Your Work

It's great to build a public audience, but that's a long game.IndieScholars.org gives you a private audience of thoughtful readers and interlocutors straightaway.New posts in the "Share Your Work" section of the community frequently solicit dozens of thoughtful and constructive replies.Members of the community are frequently seeking podcast guests, interesting work to share with their audiences, startup co-founders, etc.

Hear what members are saying

Geoff Shullenberger

Geoff Shullenberger, PhD
OutsiderTheory.com

"Immensely beneficial to me intellectually and personally. The library resources were essential for building my blog and podcast platforms, and the work sessions and conferences have helped me stay focused and productive."

Nina Power

Nina Power, PhD
NinaPower.net

"IndieScholars is the future: everything here is driven by genuine enthusiasm. Unlike contemporary academia, learning and communicating with others at IndieScholars encourages flourishing for all concerned."

Britt Olson

Britt Olson, Screenwriter

"The IndieScholars community enabled me to create a fiction writing group with the kind of open-minded, generous people that I've been looking for."

Emmet Penney

Emmet Penney
Exhaust Podcast

"I don't think I'd have been willing to stake out my own turf and create my own content online if it wasn't for Justin Murphy and IndieScholars."

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this too advanced for me? Are there any pre-requisites?
What kinds of media/'content' can I work on? Is this only for writers?
Can I join if I'm currently in a degree program?
Can I still join if I can't make every session?
Do you still run Work Sessions and what are they?
Can I get my employer to pay for this?
What if I don't like it? Do you offer refunds?
Can I pay with crypto?

Enroll

One-Time Payment

$3588

  • Private 1-on-1 project support over 1 year in the style of an MA/PhD

  • Self-paced video lecture curriculum

  • 52 Weekly Group Q&A Sessions

  • Private course community with searchable member directory

  • Periodic community seminars in philosophy, social science, and other topics

12 Monthly Payments

$299

  • Private 1-on-1 project support over 1 year in the style of an MA/PhD

  • Self-paced video lecture curriculum

  • 52 Weekly Group Q&A Sessions

  • Private course community with searchable member directory

  • Periodic community seminars in philosophy, social science, and other topics

The Independent Scholar

Not sure?

Download the free guide to get started by yourself.

IndieScholars.org presents

A 1-year program for advanced independent study

Next cohort starts July 29, 2025.