Summer of Protocols runs an ongoing research track. Starting June 2025, the program will incubate a handful of Special Interest Groups (SIGs) on a few topics that have shown particular promise to advance the study of protocols. There will be at least three (respond to the SIG survey to influence which topics will be selected):

1. Formal Protocol Theory | How can we formally model protocols using math or logic? Could we chart an underlying science, like economics or control theory, that would help professionals in fields from cryptography to healthcare? Led by program director Venkatesh Rao, who kicked off this SIG and the technical foundations track on June 11 with his talk Towards a Formal Theory of Protocols.
2. Memory Research Group | We have a wide variety of analogies and metaphors that we use to understand memory – it goes way beyond computers. Are there better models that we can use? And what’s the relationship between memory and protocols? Led by Kei Kreutler, who runs Inner Library.
3. Spannnungsfeld Management | German for “fields of tensions” and a concept built out of two years of research. This SIG will explore how tensions and protocols can be used to think about the world; particularly in the context of the management of systems like corporations, national parks, and infrastructure. Led by Timber Stinson-Schroff, blogger at Blundercheck.

Visit the SoP Discord community to participate.

Formal Protocol Theory Kickoff 👇

Memory Research Group Kickoff 👇

Spannungsfeld SIG Kickoff 👇