Redefining Intellectual Excellence

Originally but unofficially "Polymaths at U of T", Project Irenaeus on the surface level may just be an academic club for school nerds, but an in-depth probe will reveal the manner which we break tradition and go against established norms in education.

Project Irenaeus is an upper-level interdisciplinary program intended for scholars, regardless of age with an affinity for high-information.  It is designed to cultivate polymathic knowledge in a number of areas. Functionally, we work more like a rigorous academic program than a private school. Of course there are other institutions or "high IQ Societies" flourishing from superficiality, exclusion, selection, and ideals of excellence tied to immutable merits; unlike them we try not to foster such a dependance on external validation, or the unspoken "nerd vanity". We want a propensity for intrinsic motivation contingent on curiosity and passion. We try to extend the frontiers of learning, rewrites the definition of intellectual achievement, and sow a new crop of exceptional people capable of succeeding in a range of areas.

We decline the notion that depth requires specialization. We embrace the Renaissance ideal of polymathy, combining mathematics, physics, engineering, philosophy, literature, economics, theology, and the arts and blending them into a smoothly coordinated system of study. One can be broad and deep simultaneously and they should work in conjunction.

We are in more than words can describe rebels, extremists, but we are not separatists, we are aspiring reformers. Regardless of our aims, we're constantly under scrutiny and verbal attacks, from faculties, instructors and even our own parents. Though negatively-sounding, tenacity and obstinance gives us the benefit of the doubt and is the fuel through which we propel ourselves forward. 

Note: Project Tertullian was renamed to Project Irenaeus due to theological considerations and appropriateness. Specifically, his heterodox background. 

Current Members (as of Jan 2026)

29