HumAIn Speculative Fiction Book Club
Part of the Kaplan Institute's initiative HumAIn: Being Human in the Age of AI, the HumAIn Speculative Fiction Book Club is a scholarly—and casual!—investigation of contemporary speculative fiction in a literary circle style! The Book Club is curated and led by Kaplan Postdoctoral Fellow Adam Syvertsen (PhD. Northwestern '24). Adam's research explores how stories about utopias and dystopias—from the eighteenth century to the present—shape the way we imagine society, politics, and the future.
Who is it for?
Folks from any Northwestern school or department are invited to participate!
How does it work?
Kaplan will distribute the selected books for reading over winter and spring breaks. During the following quarter, we'll hold a couple of relaxed conversations about the book, including other texts for context (historical, social, etc.) and a piece of criticism (like an essay). We'll end each quarter with a capstone event where the book's author will come to campus for a large-scale public discussion.
The Books and Themes!
Fall 2026: the future of ai and human connection
Sisters (script) by Matthew Libby (world premiere, October 2024)
"Told over the course of 90 years, Sisters is the story of Matilda and Greta, a pair of sisters growing up, learning from each other, dealing with responsibility and loss, fighting viciously, drifting apart, and eventually coming back together. They’re just like any other sisters. Oh, except Greta is an artificially intelligent computer program. But other than that…"
This first text for our HumAIn book club will feature a discussion, the opportunity to attend the play at Writers Theatre in Glencoe, and a talk with director Jessica Thebus (Professor of Theatre).
Discussion of the script
October 5, 2026
12 - 1:30pm — Lunch will be served!
Kaplan Institute (Kresge 2351)
Kaplan Fellow Adam Syvertsen and Visiting Assistant Professor Claudia Kinahan will lead a discussion of the script in the context of the future of AI and human connection. To reserve a spot for lunch and discussion, contact Adam Syvertsen (adam.syvertsen@northwestern.edu). Copies of the play will be pre-circulated, but no preparation is necessary for the discussion!
Attend a performance of Sisters
October 14, 2026
7:30 pm (bus will leave around 6:30pm)
Writers Theatre, Glencoe
We have purchased a very limited number of student tickets to attend a local performance of Sisters at Writers Theatre. To request a free ticket, contact Adam Syvertsen (adam.syvertsen@northwestern.edu). Note: Please only request a ticket if you absolutely plan to attend; registering for an event and no-showing may jeopardize your ability to reserve tickets for Kaplan events in the future (though of course we know emergencies happen).
Staging Artificiality — Jessica Thebus
October 16, 2026
12:00 - 1:30 pm — Lunch will be served!
Kaplan Institute (Kresge 2351)
Jessica Thebus, Professor of Theatre at Northwestern, will share her experience directing Sisters, a play by Matthew Libby, about two siblings—one human, one artificial intelligence—and testing the bounds and future of family.
Death of the Author