Thank you from the AAPS Board to the participatory sciences community

At our November AAPS Board meeting, we discussed the importance of recognizing the continued progress made across the participatory sciences -- the results of the dedicated work of AAPS members, partner organizations and the multitude of volunteers across the country that participate in and contribute to participatory science projects. Our Board members recognize that despite extraordinary challenges, colleagues across the field of participatory sciences continue to make valuable contributions to science and society. Your hard work and dedication are truly appreciated, and your contributions do not go unnoticed. As one testament to this, we are delighted to note that press…
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AAPS Submits Amicus Brief on Community Air Monitoring in Louisiana

AAPS Submits Amicus Brief on Community Air Monitoring in Louisiana

Jay Benforado, Board Chair, Association for Advancing Participatory Sciences On September 5th, AAPS submitted an amicus brief (available below) to support a May 2025 lawsuit challenging a 2024 Louisiana law that restricts community air monitoring. AAPS has been tracking this legislative process, first formally commenting on it in December of 2024. The impacts of the law are significant, and the implications for the field of participatory sciences are concerning (i.e., other states enacting similar laws, future restrictions on other environmental monitoring like water quality, etc.). This has already had a chilling effect on community air monitoring in Louisiana, as large…
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US Federal leadership in participatory sciences – a position statement

From across the AAPS membership and from partners in many sectors, we hear and share widespread concern that participatory science activities will be impacted by the current curtailing of US Federal agency budgets, personnel, and programs. AAPS is grounded in the work of science, education, and civic engagement. We care deeply about this country's commitments to and global leadership in those areas as a whole. The AAPS Board offers the attached position statement (below) to make sure that, in the midst of changes, the significance and value of the participatory sciences––and of Federal agency leadership in these practices––is not overlooked.…
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AAPS Recruiting New Board Members and Other Leadership Positions

AAPS Recruiting New Board Members and Other Leadership Positions

The Association for Advancing Participatory Sciences (AAPS) – formerly the Citizen Science Association – is seeking passionate individuals to play a leadership role in guiding our future activities. There are several ways to get involved, depending on your experiences and skills, including serving on the AAPS Board.  Other opportunities include chairing working groups and contributing to special projects such as workshop and conference planning.  We're on the lookout for a talented and diverse group of volunteers, so please forward this to other people whom you think would be interested. We will be in touch with all nominees to explore best-fit…
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Community Air Monitoring Supports Collaborative Problem Solving: A position statement on the Louisiana Community Air Monitoring Reliability Act

The Association for Advancing Participatory Sciences (AAPS) believes there is considerable value to be drawn from participatory sciences––for both science and society––and we strive to be the go-to organization to support both leaders and learners in this field. AAPS works to find opportunities to expand scientific discoveries and impacts, to rethink who gets to participate in and benefit from science, and to reimagine what is possible for communities, equitable research partnerships and action-oriented science. And, our role is to help spotlight what is working as well as what is not. As AAPS Board Chair, I am interested in finding ways…
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AAPS Strategic Directions: Creating a future where participatory sciences are relevant, valued, and used by both scientists and communities

AAPS Strategic Directions: Creating a future where participatory sciences are relevant, valued, and used by both scientists and communities

Thank you for your interest in the dynamic and collaborative field of participatory sciences.  Please check out the new strategic plan (2024-2027) for the Association for Advancing Participatory Sciences (AAPS), which is framed around mobilizing people, improving practices and creating partnerships. This is an exciting time, full of opportunities to change how science works, to rethink who gets to participate in and benefit from science, and to reimagine what is possible for communities, equitable research partnerships and action-oriented science. AAPS believes there is considerable value to be drawn from participatory sciences for science and society, and we strive to be…
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