We’re a community of people who use careful reasoning and evidence-based approaches to do good in the world.
Our goal is to do the most good we can for humanity and future generations.
Welcome to Houston Effective Altruism
Effective Altruism (EA) is both a philosophy and a movement that encourages using evidence and reasoning to determine the most impactful ways to contribute positively to the world.
What Is Effective Altruism?
While it’s difficult to pin down a single definition—since EA is shaped by many people and organizations—the philosophy generally encompasses:
- Prioritizing Problems Based on:
- Scale: How many people are affected and to what degree.
- Neglectedness: Whether additional resources can make a significant difference.
- Solvability: How feasible it is to make progress in the area.
- Identifying Effective Solutions: Focusing on actions supported by strong evidence.
- Continuous Learning: Adapting beliefs and actions as new evidence emerges.
The EA movement translates these principles into action, involving individuals and organizations committed to making a substantial positive impact. This extends beyond traditional charity to include career choices, policy advocacy, and scientific research.
Our Unique Approach
At Houston EA, we align with the core principles of Effective Altruism but also hold unique values that shape our community:
Embracing Diversity
We believe our strength lies in the diverse experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives within our community. These differences deepen our understanding of complex issues and foster innovative thinking and actions.
Sharpening Critical Thinking Skills
Our discussions aren’t just about identifying actions but understanding why we choose certain paths. We encourage questioning, analyzing, and debating, allowing you to formulate your own perspectives on how best to contribute to society.
Community Guidelines
To ensure respectful and constructive interactions, we uphold guidelines that promote:
- Respectful Communication: Engage with kindness and openness.
- Inclusivity: Ensure everyone feels welcome to participate.
- Constructive Disagreements: Maintain relevance and respect during discussions.
- Sensitivity: Handle controversial topics with care.
Join Our Community
Our mission at Houston EA is to guide and support you by connecting you with like-minded people in the greater Houston area who are sincerely compassionate and care about making real change in the world.
Stay Connected
- Weekly Meetups: Add our weekly meetups to your calendar! We meet in person every Saturday from 2–4 PM at Empire Café (1732 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098).
- To find us: Look for our sign on one of the outside tables, or message our Discord group. These meetups are a great place to connect, share, and learn with both newcomers and EA veterans.
- Join Our Discord community.
- Subscribe to Our Google Calendar: Stay updated by subscribing to our Google Calendar.
Let’s Make a Difference Together
Thank you for being part of our journey toward greater impact. We look forward to continuing to learn, grow, and make a difference together.
Or, check out our upcoming events on our Events page:
Houston Effective Altruism is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit, supported by the Center for Effective Altruism.
Our team of dedicated organizers
Keirra Woodard
Keirra is an experienced leader, entrepreneur and University of Houston alum (BBA Marketing, Class of 2019). While she was a student, she founded the university’s Effective Altruism group. During the four years she managed the group, 50+ students completed the Arete Fellowship, an ~8 week introductory program to the effective altruism philosophy.
Since graduating, Keirra has stayed involved in the effective altruism community; she’s participated in various EA community events and conferences, including the EA Oxford In-Depth Fellowship and CEA group organizer’s retreat.
In addition to her work in EA, Keirra is a successful entrepreneur who founded and owns Forward Launch, a startup marketing consulting business.
Jon Flynn
Jon is a professor at Rice University and loves studying how our brains work. He has a special interest in how our brains communicate and how this affects what we see and hear.
When Jon isn’t teaching, he loves to share his knowledge with others. Jon is the lead representative of the Houston Chapter of the Society of Neuroscience. He also runs BrainSTEM, which teaches neuroscience to local middle and high school students, and Taste of Science Houston, which connects scientists to the local community.