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18 Feb 2026

New Course! Strategic Communication for Participatory Science Practitioners

Uncategorized

Participatory science leaders may try to communicate with everyone about everything—social media, newsletters, participant engagement, blogs, media outreach—and end up burned out with little to show for it. This course teaches a different approach: strategic communication that helps you do less while achieving better results. Learn to diagnose your project's communication needs, define specific target audiences (not "the general public"), and match your strategy to your actual capacity. Through recorded lectures, live workshopping sessions, and practical templates to keep, you'll develop skills to translate scientific results for different audiences, make smart decisions about which communication channels are worth your time,…

12 Feb 2026

By J_Shirk

2026 Call for Interest in AAPS Leadership (Board and more)

AAPS News

The Association for Advancing Participatory Sciences (AAPS) is seeking passionate individuals to play a leadership role in guiding the Association's future activities. There are several ways to get involved, depending on your interests, experiences, and skills, including serving on the AAPS Board. Other opportunities include leadership in working groups, affinity groups, or program teams (such as planning the conference or other professional development activities). 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…

20 Jan 2026

By Reanna Putnam

Looking for sustainable funding for your project?

UncategorizedCAPS 2026, program snapshot

Looking to build a sustainable source of funding for your project? Let these sessions inspire and activate you: Funding Participation: Building Sustainable Pathways for Participatory SciencesClosing Plenary [Friday, May 29, 4:00 PM] Participatory science delivers public value but is often underfunded by systems built for traditional research. This closing symposium session is designed to help researchers, funders, and policymakers examine how participatory science is funded now, where the biggest structural barriers persist, and what more sustainable pathways could look like in practice. Through brief perspectives and guided Q and A, participants will identify practical strategies to sustain participatory sciences beyond…

20 Jan 2026

By Reanna Putnam

Insights and Innovations from Health Sciences

UncategorizedCAPS 2026, program snapshot

Interested in engaged research traditions? These sessions featuring examples from the health sciences will offer insights into ethics, equity, and action applicable to all projects: Insights and Innovations from Health SciencesPlenary Symposium [Wednesday, May 27, 12:00 PM]This symposium will explore how environmental, public, biomedical, and behavioral health sciences can strengthen participatory science through engaged research traditions that are ethical, equitable, actionable, and community-centered. Drawing on their leadership in environmental health, translational research, public health surveillance, wastewater monitoring, climate and health equity, and community-engaged environmental technologies, Drs. Smith and Malecki will share insights from research and practice at the intersection of…

09 Jan 2026

By Reanna Putnam

How are the participatory sciences confronting global challenges?

UncategorizedCAPS 2026, program snapshot

Curious how the participatory sciences confronting global challenges? Then check out the following sessions at CAPS 2026, May 26-29. >>Full program here. Citizen Science Climate Change Mitigation: Visioning an Interoperable Data Network for ChangeSymposium [Thursday, May 28, 12:00 PM]Imagine a coordinated global network of citizen scientists tracking actions and behaviors that mitigate climate change. Such a network could make climate solutions visible, measurable, and accessible to all. You can be part of shaping this future, building on a recent initiative by the Citizen Science Climate Change Mitigation Working Group, sponsored by the EU’s AURORA project. Join us in turning knowledge into…

09 Jan 2026

By Reanna Putnam

Curious about the intersection of AI and power in the participatory sciences?

UncategorizedCAPS 2026, program snapshot

Curious about the intersection of AI and power in the participatory sciences? These sessions at CAPS 2026 might be for you. >>Full program here. Social Impacts of Emerging Technologies >>VIEW RECORDINGOpening Keynote [Tuesday, May 26, 12:00 PM]Professor Kate Devlin will offer an opening keynote on the social impacts of emerging technology at CAPS 2026. This plenary session will address the social and ethical implications of AI, and offer insights into how humans relate to emerging technologies. Professor Kate Devlin will offer an opening keynote on the social impacts of emerging technology at CAPS 2026. This plenary session will address the social and ethical…

09 Jan 2026

By Reanna Putnam

Looking to define yourself as a participatory science professional?

UncategorizedCAPS2026, program snapshot

Looking to define yourself as a participatory science professional? Consider these sessions at at CAPS 2026, May 26-29. >>Full program here. Professional Pathways in Informal STEM Learning: Tools for your participatory science careerCollaborative Session [Tuesday, May 26, 1:15 PM]Professional Pathways is a new suite of tools that can help you identify and develop professional competencies for a career in an Informal STEM Learning (ISL) setting. In this session, participants will reflect on their own professional skills and knowledge by exploring two tools–the Framework and the Self-Assessment. From there, participants will engage in a broader discussion connecting these tools to participatory science.…

09 Jan 2026

By Reanna Putnam

Wondering how participatory sciences promote civic engagement?

UncategorizedCAPS2026, program snapshot

Wondering how participatory sciences can promote civic engagement? Then check out the following sessions at CAPS 2026, May 26-29. >>Full program here. Building from the Ground up: Civic Engagement through Community ScienceCollaborative Session [Thursday, May 28, 1:15 PM]This session equips participants to identify and address civic priorities collaboratively with community. We'll share ASTC research on public perceptions of science, then introduce practical tools from our Community Science initiative. Learn how to start with what communities care about and connect science to issues that matter locally.Convener: Naomi Wallace (Association of Science and Technology Centers)Co-presenters: Eve Klein (Association of Science and Technology…

18 Dec 2025

By J_Shirk

2025 Highlights from the AAPS Community

AAPS News

The bright lights that shine across this community are always the people who bring passion and commitment to the best in participatory sciences. See below for 2025 highlights, and be sure to follow the ⋙ symbols for more information on each. Join AAPS in celebrating: Career leaders at all stages: Dr. Dixon Butler's career-long vision, mentorship, and wise counsel for many in the field of participatory sciences. Read about Dixon's Lifetime Contributions to the Participatory Sciences ⋙ Three AAPS Fellows advancing knowledge and resources for this community, and the inspiration of an emerging generation of scholars ⋙ The active AAPS…

17 Dec 2025

By Reanna Putnam

Reaching the Right People: Two Upcoming Events for Participatory Science Project Leaders

Uncategorizedevents, lunch and learn, virtual events

This winter, join us for two engaging Lunch and Learn designed to help participatory science project leaders expand their reach and strengthen connections with their audiences. On January 21, learn how SciStarter can help your project connect with more volunteers and boost engagement through practical tools and strategies. Then, on February 21, dive into a candid conversation about science communication—why your project might not be getting the attention it deserves and what actually works when it comes to engaging participants and the public. Whether you’re looking to grow your volunteer base or communicate your impact more effectively, these sessions offer…