The International Society for Complexity, Information, and Design and Intelligent Design Creationism

Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen

Publication (Outlet/Website): Vocal.Media

Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2025/09

“The International Society for Complexity, Information, and Design (ISCID) herewith announces its formation and official launch. ISCID is a cross-disciplinary professional society that investigates complex systems apart from external programmatic constraints like materialism, naturalism, or reductionism. The society is fully web-driven and can be reached via the Internet at http://www.iscid.org.

The society provides a forum for formulating, testing, and disseminating research on complex systems through critique, peer review, and publication. Its aim is to pursue the theoretical development, empirical application, and philosophical implications of information- and design-theoretic concepts for complex systems.”

International Society for Complexity, Information, and Design

“Progress in Complexity, Information, and Design (PCID) is a quarterly, cross-disciplinary, online journal that investigates complex systems apart from external programmatic constraints like materialism, naturalism, or reductionism. PCID focuses especially on the theoretical development, empirical application, and philosophical implications of information- and design-theoretic concepts for complex systems. PCIDwelcomes survey articles, research articles, technical communications, tutorials, commentaries, book and software reviews, educational overviews, and controversial theories. The aim of PCID is to advance the science of complexity by assessing the degree to which teleology is relevant (or irrelevant) to the origin, development, and operation of complex systems.”

Progress in Complexity, Information, and Design

“So in summary, what do we have? Firstly, neither Wells, Behe, Dembski nor Nelson appear to be currently publishing original research in mainstream scientific journals. Secondly, the research cited by ID supporters is not produced by ID supporters, and these authors do not see their research as supportive of the Discovery Institute’s anti-evolutionary program. Lastly, PCID’s review system is unorthodox and has not yielded any substantive advances in scientific inquiry being largely philosophical discussions, anti-establishment rhetorical diatribes or rehersals [sic] of jaded arguments from probability.”

John M. Lynch

Intelligent Design (ID) Creationism came to a head through The International Society for Complexity, Information, and Design (ISCID). For an Indian-based publication which I wrote almost 300 articles for it, News Intervention, a decent article on the generic presentation of ISCID and more in-depth analysis of the publication record of PCID or the journal entitled Progress in Complexity, Information, and Design (PCID) is “Excavation of a Failure: The International Society for Complexity, Information, and Design (ISCID)” (Jacobsen, 2022).

The core conclusions from the analysis were that ID is rebranded Creationism, sharing the same theological roots in divine intervention and Christian hermeneutics, as evidenced by statements from its founders (Ibid.). Both Creationism and ID failed to garner legitimacy in academia, courts, culture, and science (Ibid.). 

ID’s architects openly tie the “Designer” to the Christian God and recast it in information-theory rhetoric (Ibid.). The Discovery Institute serves as the hub, with its leaders aging or dying without successors. Dembski left in 2016 but resurfaced around 2020 part-time and then more fully since 2021 (Science & Culture Today, 2021; Dembski, 2016), and the movement persists ideologically despite intellectual isolation (Jacobsen, 2022).

ISCID’s journal PCID served as the publishing pipeline, characterized by lax/conflicted review, limited output (~70 pieces), and a teleological focus (Ibid.). PCID’s activity faded after the 2005 Dover defeat (Ibid.). 

The ID community is largely Euro-American Protestant men with advanced credentials, reflecting a sociopolitical project (Ibid.) and furthering the commentary in the prior pieces in this special series for A Further Inquiry and an archival piece for future curious audiences about the culture wars (not scientific, peer-reviewed intellectual combats) too (Ibid.). 

Therefore, ID/ISCID/PCID failed because the enterprise is theological in substance and lacks evidential, rigorous science. A more pointed analysis of PCID is available at “What was the Professional Output of Intelligent Design?” (Jacobsen, 2022b).

By its analysis at the time, PCID was the most professional effort of the ID movement through ISCID to produce actual scholarly output (Ibid.). PCID reflects ISCID wholeheartedly as a teleological emphasis while borrowing the terminology of information theory (Ibid.). 

Governance and review were compromised as ISCID Fellows doubled as PCID’s advisory/peer-review body (Ibid.). Publication could proceed with a single Fellow approval while under a concentrated editorial control, showcasing conflicts of interest and a weak formalization of rigour (Ibid.). 

The total output was eight electronic issues from 2002-2005 with small or low-impact research outcomes (Ibid.). This is despite an extensive organization network, making PCID its flagship publication (Ibid.). As a research program attempt, PCID is a crucial archival representation of the failure of the ID research program (Ibid.). 

As noted, there were 57 ISCID Fellows from a variety of academic disciplines and backgrounds. Let us do a coverage of them, as enough time has passed to see a then and now comparison and contrast. This will be an A to Z alphabetical listing by last name. This will be tedious, but necessary as an archival work and sourced from publicly available materials:

The ISCID Fellow is Bernard d’Abrera. Bernard d’Abrera (Australian lepidopterist and author associated with the Natural History Museum, London) died January 13, 2017. Michael Behe is in Biochemistry at Lehigh University. He is still a Professor of Biological Sciences at Lehigh University and a Senior Fellow at Discovery Institute’s Center for Science and Culture (CSC).

John Bloom was a Professor of Physics & Philosophy of Science at Biola University. Now, he is Professor Emeritus of Physics at Biola University and the founding director of Biola’s M.A. in Science & Religion. 

Walter L. Bradley was in the Mechanical Engineering department at Texas A&M University. Now, he is dead, circa July 2, 2025. Neil Broom was in the department of Biophysics at the University of Auckland. Now, he is Emeritus Professor of Chemical & Materials Engineering at the University of Auckland. 

J. Budziszewski was in the Department of Philosophy & Political Theory at the University of Texas–Austin. Now, he is a Professor of Government and Philosophy at UT Austin. John Angus Campbell was a Professor of Communications at the University of Memphis. Now, he is a Professor Emeritus of Communication at the University of Memphis.

Russell W. Carlson was a Professor of Molecular Biology at the University of Georgia (Athens). Now, he is on the Faculty or in a Director Emeritus role at UGA’s Complex Carbohydrate Research Center.

David K. Y. Chiu was in the Department of Biocomputing at the University of Guelph. Now, he is Professor Emeritus in Computer Science at the University of Guelph. Robin Collins was in the Department of Cosmology & Philosophy of Physics at Messiah College. Now, he is Distinguished Professor of Philosophy & Department Chair at Messiah University.

William Lane Craig was in the Department of Philosophy at Talbot School of Theology at Biola. Now, he is Emeritus Research Professor of Philosophy at Talbot and leads Reasonable Faith. Kenneth de Jong was in the Department of Linguistics at Indiana University Bloomington. Now, he is a Professor of Linguistics at Indiana University.

William A. Dembski held various Mathematics roles while focusing as an independent. Now, he is a technology entrepreneur, a Founding/Senior Fellow of the Discovery Institute CSC and an active writer. Mark R. Discher was in the Department of Ethics at the University of St. Thomas. Now, he is a Theology/Ethics educator, e.g., Kino Catechetical Institute.

Daniel Dix was in the Department of Mathematics at the University of South Carolina. He was Professor Emeritus at USC. Now, he is dead circa 2023. Fred Field was in the Department of Linguistics at California State University. Now, he is Professor Emeritus at California State University, Northridge.

Guillermo Gonzalez was in the Department of Astronomy at Iowa State University. Now, he is a Research Scientist (Physics & Astronomy) at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Bruce L. Gordon was in the Department of Philosophy of Physics at Baylor University. Now, he is Professor of the History & Philosophy of Science at Saint Constantine College (Houston) and has taught at Houston Christian University (formerly HBU).

David Humphreys was in the Department of Chemistry at McMaster University. Now, he is an emeritus or retired academic. Any public updates are limited to legacy profiles. Cornelius Hunter was in the Department of Biophysics at Seagull Technology. Now, he is a Discovery Institute Fellow who has been an engineer/scientist with industry roles. Any public updates are sparse.

Muzaffar Iqbal was in Science & Religion at the Center for Islam and Science. Now, he is the President of the Center for Islamic Sciences (Canada) and is the editor of the Integrated Encyclopedia of the Qur’an. Quinn Tyler Jackson was in Language & Software Systems independently. Now, he is a writer/technologist and listed with The Writers’ Union of Canada.

Conrad Johanson was in the Department of Clinical Neurosciences & Physiology at Brown Medical School. Now, he is Professor Emeritus at Brown University. Robert Kaita was in the Department of Plasma Physics at Princeton University. Then he was Researcher/Emeritus-affiliated at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory. Now, he is retired.

James P. Keener was in the Department of Mathematics & Bioengineering at the University of Utah. Now, he is the Distinguished Professor Emeritus in Mathematics at the University of Utah. Robert C. Koons was in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Texas–Austin. Now, he is a Professor of Philosophy at UT Austin. Younghun Kwon was in the Department of Physics at Hanyang University. Now, he is a Professor of Physics at Hanyang University (quantum information/AMO).

Christopher Michael Langan is the founder and President of the Mega Foundation (1999). He published his 56-page CTMU paper, “The Cognitive-Theoretic Model of the Universe: A New Kind of Reality Theory” (2002) in PCID. Now, he continues research work through the Mega Foundation, as a self-described “reality theorist.” Robert Larmer was in the Department of Philosophy at the University of New Brunswick. Now, he is a Professor & Department Chair in Philosophy at UNB Philosophy and the President of the Canadian Society of Christian Philosophers. 

Matti Leisola was in the Department of Bioprocess Engineering at the Helsinki University of Technology. Now, he is a Professor Emeritus at Aalto University (formerly HUT). E. Stan Lennard was in the Department of Medicine at the University of Washington. Now, he is a retired surgeon/clinical professor. Any updated information is sparse. John Lennox was in the Department of Mathematics at the University of Oxford. Now, he is an Emeritus Professor of Mathematics & Fellow Emeritus at Green Templeton College, University of Oxford.

Gina Lynne LoSasso was qualified in Cognitive Neuroscience & Clinical Neuropsychology and worked with Christopher Michael Langan through the Mega Foundation & its Research Group. Now, she maintains an executive role with the Mega Foundation.

Jed Macosko was in the Department of Chemistry at La Sierra University. Now, he is a Professor of Physics at Wake Forest University and the President/Co-founder of AcademicInfluence.com. Bonnie Mallard was in the Department of Immunology at the University of Guelph. Now, she is a Professor in Pathobiology at the University of Guelph and is the inventor of HIR/Immunity+ livestock health technology.

Forrest M. Mims III was involved in Atmospheric Science research. Now, he continues atmospheric measurements and science writing. Scott Minnich was in the Department of Microbiology at the University of Idaho. Now, he is a Professor of Microbiology at the University of Idaho.

Paul Nelson was involved in the Philosophy of Biology at the Discovery Institute. Now, he is a Senior Fellow at the Discovery Institute’s Center for Science & Culture. Filip Palda was in the Department of Economics at ÉNAP (Montréal). Now, he is dead, circa 2017. 

Edward T. Peltzer III was associated with Ocean Chemistry and later affiliated with MBARI. Now, he is retired from MBARI and is a long-time Senior Research Specialist/Program Manager. Alvin Plantinga was in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Notre Dame. Now, he is the John A. O’Brien Professor Emeritus at the University of Notre Dame.

Martin Poenie was in the Department of Molecular Cell & Developmental Biology at the University of Texas–Austin. Then he was a Retired/emeritus professor. Now, he is retired. Carlos E. Puente was in the Department of Hydrology & Theoretical Dynamics at the University of California, Davis. Now, he is a Professor Emeritus at UC Davis.

Del Ratzsch was in the Department of Philosophy of Science at Calvin College. Now, he is a Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at Calvin University. Jay Wesley Richards was involved in Philosophical Theology at the Discovery Institute. Now, he is a Senior Fellow/Director for The Heritage Foundation and a Professor at The Catholic University of America.

Terry Rickard was involved in Electrical Engineering at Orincon Corporation. Now, he is a senior technologist/executive, co-founded ORINCON, and has later roles at OptiMark and Lockheed Martin. John Roche was in the Department of History of Science at the University of Oxford. Now, he is dead, circa May 20, 2024 (Harris Manchester College, 2025).

Andrew Ruys was involved in Bioceramic Engineering at the University of Sydney. Now, he is a Professor of Engineering at the University of Sydney. Henry F. Schaefer III was involved in Quantum Chemistry at the University of Georgia (Athens). Now, he is the Graham Perdue Professor of Chemistry & Director of the Center for Computational Quantum Chemistry at the University of Georgia (Athens). 

Jeffrey M. Schwartz, M.D., was involved in the Department of Psychiatry/Neuroscience at UCLA. Now, he is a Research Psychiatrist at UCLA and is an author on neuroplasticity/OCD. Philip S. Skell was involved in the Department of Chemistry at Penn State University. Now, he is dead, circa November 21, 2010.

Frederick Skiff was in the Department of Physics at the University of Iowa. Now, he is a professor of Physics & Astronomy at the University of Iowa. Karl D. Stephan was involved in the Department of Electrical Engineering at Southwest Texas State University. Now, he is a Professor at Texas State University, an engineering-ethics writer.

Richard M. Sternberg was involved in Systematics at NCBI-GenBank (NIH). Now, he is an independent/ID-affiliated scholar with no current formal institutional role publicly listed. Frank J. Tipler was involved in the Department of Mathematical Physics at Tulane University. Now, he is still a Professor of Mathematical Physics at Tulane University.

Jonathan Wells was involved in Developmental Biology at the Discovery Institute. Now, he is dead, September 19, 2024 (Klinghoffer, 2024). Peter Zöller-Greer was involved in Mathematics, Physics, and Information Science at the State University of Applied Sciences (Frankfurt/Main). Now, he is Professor/emeritus-level at Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, but retired.

Therefore, 7 former ISCID Fellows are deceased: Bernard d’Abrera (Jan 13, 2017), Walter L. Bradley (July 2, 2025), Daniel Dix (July 3, 2023), Filip Palda (Aug 24, 2017), John J. Roche (May 20, 2024), Philip S. Skell (Nov 21, 2010), and Jonathan Wells (Sept 19, 2024). 

13 are some form of emeritus: John Bloom, Neil Broom, John Angus Campbell, Russell W. Carlson, William Lane Craig, Fred Field, James P. Keener, Matti Leisola, John Lennox, Carlos E. Puente, Del Ratzsch, Alvin Plantinga, and David Humphreys. 

Five are explicitly retired: E. Stan Lennard, Edward T. Peltzer III, Martin Poenie, Peter Zöller-Greer, and Robert Kaita. Therefore, 25 Fellows are deceased, emeritus, or retired (accounting for overlap), leaving 32 with current active roles; categories were active, deceased, emeritus (still publishing/teaching), retired (no ongoing academic appointment), and unknown/insufficient public information.

The transitions never happened after PCID and ISCID became defunct. ID Creationism’s most significant achievement in an attempt at academic legitimation eventuated in this outcome for itself. This legacy has significantly influenced the intellectual lives of numerous individuals. It is one of those rare phenomena: a forever-after reputational scar.

As noted previously, there are other organizations and individuals to cover.

References

Dembski, W.A. (2016, September 23). Official Retirement from Intelligent Design. https://billdembski.com/personal/official-retirement-from-intelligent-design/.

Dembski, W.A. (2025, July 23). Remembering Walter Bradley (1943–2025). https://scienceandculture.com/2025/07/remembering-walter-bradley-1943-2025/.

Harris Manchester College. (2025). Dr John Roche, 1937 – May 20 2024. https://www.hmc.ox.ac.uk/article/dr-john-roche-1937-20-may-2024.

Klinghoffer, D. (2024, September 24). Farewell to Jonathan Wells, Iconoclastic Scientist. https://scienceandculture.com/2024/09/farewell-to-jonathan-wells-iconoclastic-scientist/.

Jacobsen, S.D. (2022a, January 29). Excavation of a Failure: The International Society for Complexity, Information, and Design (ISCID). https://in-sightpublishing.com/2022/04/06/excavation-of-a-failure-the-international-society-for-complexity-information-and-design-iscid/.

Jacobsen, S.D. (2022b, January 28). What was the Professional Output of Intelligent Design?. https://in-sightpublishing.com/2022/04/06/what-was-the-professional-output-of-intelligent-design/.

Science & Culture Today. (2021, February 16). William Dembski: Why I am Returning to the Front Lines of Intelligent Design. https://scienceandculture.com/2021/02/william-dembski-why-im-returning-to-the-front-lines-of-intelligent-design.

Footnotes

[1] Fellows of ISCID:

d’Abrera, Bernard

Behe, Michael J.

Bloom, John

Bradley, Walter

Broom, Neil

Budziszewski, J.

Campbell, John Angus

Carlson, Russell W.

Chiu, David K. Y.

Collins, Robin

Craig, William Lane

de Jong, Kenneth

Dembski, William A.

Discher, Mark R.

Dix, Daniel

Field, Fred

Gonzalez, Guillermo

Gordon, Bruce L.

Humphreys, David

Hunter, Cornelius

Iqbal, Muzaffar

Jackson, Quinn Tyler

Johanson, Conrad

Kaita, Robert

Keener, James

Koons, Robert C.

Kwon, Younghun

Langan, Christopher Michael

Larmer, Robert

Leisola, Matti

Lennard, Stan

Lennox, John

LoSasso, Gina Lynne

Macosko, Jed

Mallard, Bonnie

Mims, Forrest M. III

Minnich, Scott

Nelson, Paul

Palda, Filip

Peltzer, Edward T.

Plantinga, Alvin

Poenie, Martin

Puente, Carlos E.

Ratzsch, Del

Richards, Jay Wesley

Rickard, Terry

Roche, John

Ruys, Andrew

Schaefer, Henry F.

Schwartz, Jeffrey M.

Skell, Philip

Skiff, Frederick

Stephan, Karl D.

Sternberg, Richard

Tipler, Frank

Wells, Jonathan

Zöller-Greer, Peter

See International Society for Complexity, Information, and Design (2013).

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