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14 Oct 2026

CAPS 2027 Call for Individual Presentations Now Open!

ConferenceCAPS2027

Share your work at the 2027 Conference for Advancing Participatory Sciences (CAPS), happening May 17–21, 2027, in Louisville, Kentucky! The call for individual presentations is now open. Our annual conference highlights cutting-edge, evidence-based practices and connects people across disciplines to share insights, showcase innovation, and forge stronger relationships across the field. Why Present at CAPS? Elevate your own unique contributions at this multi-disciplinary event, where connections with science professionals, engagement specialists, funders, app designers, community leaders, and others can help you focus on and enhance your work in this field. What Gets Presented: Ideas and insights into the work behind participatory sciences, as well…

24 Sep 2026

By Reanna Putnam

Expanding Our Community: AAPS Connect is Open to All

Resources, Uncategorizedmilestones

Over the past five years, AAPS Connect has served as the central home for our members to connect, attend events, and share knowledge across the participatory sciences. Today, we are thrilled to take the next big step: opening AAPS Connect to the entire participatory science community—no membership required. Our goal is simple: to create an inclusive, centralized space where researchers, educators, community leaders, and all who are part of project teams can easily collaborate and move the field forward. What You’ll Find on AAPS Connect AAPS Connect is built to give you direct access to the tools, people, and resources…

01 Sep 2026

By Reanna Putnam

Call for 2027 Organized Session Now Open!

Conference#CAPS2027

The CAPS Program Committee invites submissions for organized sessions that advance a proposed topic of importance in the field. Proposing an organized session is your opportunity to shape discussion around issues you care about, build collaborations, and showcase your leadership in the field. AAPS conferences bring together all of the people and perspectives needed for projects to thrive. That includes academics from all disciplines, community leaders, data managers, tech designers, librarians, and all who are part of project teams. Session conveners play an important role in creating meaningful event experiences where this multifaceted community can learn from one another. Organized…

30 Jun 2026

By Reanna Putnam

Make your mark on AAPS Conferences!

Conference, Uncategorized

We are actively seeking volunteers to join the CAPS 2027 Program Planning Committee. Like much of this field, AAPS conferences are supported by volunteer committee members who shape both the vision and design of our events as well as provide critical support for submission review and program curation. The Committee meets twice monthly to discuss event themes, structures, and opportunities for innovations in how we conference. Taking an active role in the conference program committee can help you: Make your mark on the field’s leading event. Conference volunteers have been integral in establishing structures to efficiently plan and implement virtual…

26 Jun 2026

By Sarah Clement

Advancing science learning and community-relevant knowledge production- lessons from CAPS 2026 youth education sessions

Conference, Educationattendee recaps, CAPS 2026

Engaging youth in participatory science is a powerful approach for advancing both science learning and community-relevant knowledge production. By contributing to authentic data collection and analysis, students participate in the practices of science rather than merely learning about them. These experiences also enhance motivation and STEM identity development, particularly when students see their contributions informing real research or local decision-making. Because many citizen science projects are embedded in local contexts, they foster place-based learning and can deepen youths’ connections to their communities and environments. For teachers, participatory science offers a practical mechanism for integrating NGSS-aligned standards and practices into everyday…

10 Jun 2026

By Natasha Udu-gama

Addressing the Issue of Sustainable Funding for the Participatory Sciences

Uncategorizedattendee recaps, CAPS 2026, funding, program snapshot

Recent funding sessions on participatory science from key CAPS 2026 sessions addressing funding including a May 26th strategic discussion on funding, a YLACES session on braided funding and May 29th’s have made one thing clear: the field cannot treat sustainability as a grant-seeking problem alone. Whether organizations are navigating fragmented partnerships, adjusting to funding cuts, or trying to keep programs free and equitable, they are hitting the same wall. Genuine partnerships take time, but funders often reward speed. Multiple institutional layers create silos, but projects need coordination. And operational costs, though oftentimes seen as mundane, absolutely matter, despite most grants…

05 Jun 2026

By J_Shirk

Board Candidates for 2026 Member Vote

AAPS Newsboard, members

Members of the AAPS Board play a crucial role in shaping the future of this Association. As a working board responsible for the governance and oversight of a growing nonprofit organization, the makeup of the Board is essential to its success. For a detailed overview of the roles of Board Members, find a list of AAPS Board Member Responsibilities here. In line with the mission and strategic plan of AAPS, the Governance Committee has sought candidates with experience and skills in fundraising, equity and inclusion, and management of non-profit organizations. We encourage those who have skills in creating sponsorships and organizational partnerships…

22 Apr 2026

By J_Shirk

Call for Applicants: Editor in Chief of CSTP

AAPS News, Journal

Citizen Science: Theory and Practice is currently inviting applications from experienced editors to serve as the journal's next Editor-in-Chief. Applications due 15 August 2026 for onboarding to begin 15 Oct 2026. This is an unique opportunity for a highly-motivated scholar to gain field-wide visibility and provide visionary influence across the landscape of publishing in citizen and participatory sciences. Citizen Science: Theory and Practice (CSTP) is an online-only, open-access, and peer-reviewed journal established in 2014 by the nonprofit Association for Advancing Participatory Sciences (AAPS) and published by Ubiquity Press. Through a burgeoning partnership with the European Citizen Science Association, the journal…

07 Apr 2026

By Reanna Putnam

Improve Your Project Communications by Thinking Like a Scientist

Resources, UncategorizedCourses, project design, science communication

Participatory science project leaders wear a lot of hats. And one of the most underappreciated, and frustrating to some, roles is that of a communicator. You’re expected to maintain a social media presence, send newsletters, and overall build an engaged community of participants — all on the side while you’re doing the job of actually running your project. A lot of people who put effort into their communications approach them as a task-based chore: Post your post, send your email, check the boxes. But far fewer have a good sense of whether checking these boxes is actually accomplishing anything. The…

03 Mar 2026

By Veronica Del Bianco

Reflections on the value of AAPS Membership

Fellowshipsmember value

Reflecting on my past year as an AAPS Fellow, I’ve spent a significant amount of time listening. I’ve looked at the data from our 2025 Member Value Survey and sat across Zoom screens from dedicated participatory science leaders in focus groups. As I wrap up my fellowship, I want to share what I’ve learned about the heartbeat of this organization and why this work is more critical now than ever. Why This Matters—Right Now We are living through a pivotal moment for participatory science. Between an unstable federal funding landscape and a fragmented digital environment, practitioners are feeling the squeeze.…