As communities work together to face global and local challenges, and as the role of science and technology in our society continues to evolve, it is more important than ever for all people to have the opportunity to engage with, participate in, contribute to, and benefit from science, technology, and innovation. Community science approaches often involve powerful partnerships that generate new questions, ideas, and solutions to make meaningful progress on community priorities, with a focus on equity and sustainability. Community science brings together disparate—and often marginalized—groups to co-construct sustainable solutions to improve community well-being and to create mutually beneficial relationships.
ASTC has launched a new website for our Community Science Initiative to support our members in leveraging community science approaches so they can join their communities in co-constructing solutions. With community science, community members collaborate to conduct and leverage scientific research and technological innovation to advance community priorities and benefit from the knowledge and advancements of science and engineering, often in partnership with scientists and science-engagement practitioners. For science and technology centers and museums, and other science engagement organizations, community science is an emerging practice that they can use to fulfill their missions to advance lifelong science learning, connect science and society, engage diverse audiences, and partner to solve local and global challenges.
- Visit our website to explore ASTC’s framework of community science attributes and outcomes along with a searchable library of resources and examples of community science in action—and find future opportunities for training and funding.
- Check out our toolkit for Dialogue & Deliberation, which outlines key skills and methods for engaging community members in discussions that surface or refine community priorities and support decision making around difficult complex societal challenges at the intersection of science, technology, and human well-being.
- Join our online Community of Practice to connect with other science engagement professionals and share questions, challenges, expertise, and resources.
Our aim is that this platform will support science and technology centers and museums, and allied institutions of science learning and engagement, in exploring and expanding the ways they engage with their community members. Community science provides another method for partnering with communities – one that allows science engagement professionals to grow their competencies around socio-scientific issues and in supporting communities in taking science-related action. We believe our members and partners can leverage their power as trusted conveners and community spaces, as well as their connections to the research and academic communities, to bring together members of their local community to work toward shared goals.