The Natural Philosophy Research Institute (NPRI), formerly the John Chappell Natural Philosophy Society (CNPS), is a worldwide think-tank of critical thinkers. Its members are professors, PhDs, scientists, engineers and lay researchers who openly criticize mainstream physics and cosmology and propose alternative theories, philosophies and models. Members have worked together for more than three decades, using critical thinking to find flaws and failures in mainstream science and to propose new directions in natural philosophy.
From society to institute
In autumn 2026 CNPS began its transition to NPRI, which completes in January 2027. CNPS members become NPRI’s founding members, and everything the society built carries over: the weekly Saturday sessions, the forum, the proceedings and the paper archive. Through the end of 2026, Saturday morning sessions walk members through the change.
Our three missions
- Member services: a journal to publish in, Saturday sessions to present at, projects to join, and a member directory linked to the wiki.
- Digital perpetuity: digitizing and preserving the papers, journals and archives of independent researchers, with full attribution, so their work is never lost.
- Awareness media: taking these questions to the general public, led by the Dissident Science channel and podcast.
What the Institute runs
- The Natural Philosophy Journal: open access and peer-reviewed by vetted reviewers, for physics, cosmology and the foundations of science.
- The Natural Philosophy Wiki: redesigned and greatly expanded, documenting the scientists, papers, books and theories of the independent-science community.
- Projects: an open workspace where members and the public propose, join and follow research and outreach projects.
- Dissident Science: the video podcast and channel David de Hilster started in 2017, now co-hosted and produced with Matthew Stroul. It is run as an NPRI project with a plan to grow to 500,000 subscribers in two years. Subscribers who want to take part become NPRI members.
- Saturday Morning Sessions: weekly live presentations and discussion, including talks by authors who publish in the Natural Philosophy Journal.
Leadership
- David de Hilster, President
- Greg Volk, Vice President
- John H. Reed, MD, Treasurer
- Matthew Stroul, Chairman and Executive Director
Nonprofit status
NPRI is incorporated in Florida. It is applying for federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, which, once approved, applies back to the date of incorporation, so gifts made now will be covered too. Nonprofit status lets NPRI welcome donors and apply for research and preservation grants.
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