“I hope to see the day when science is indisputably woven into the fabric of our collective decision-making, and conversely, when the values and priorities of our communities are woven into the way we do science.”

—Claire Weichselbaum, 2021–23 Dana Foundation Barbara Gill Civic Science Fellow

The Need for New Approaches

Persistent health disparities, a warming planet in crisis, the emergence of complex artificial intelligence, technology that allows for precise gene editing—in many areas that affect our lives and our future, science holds the power to improve lives and reduce harm. But unlocking the full potential for creating benefits and opening discoveries requires new approaches to shaping science and technology and wrestling with their societal implications. Navigating the challenges of the future requires broader engagement and deliberation about priorities and practices of research and its application. The need goes beyond addressing urgent problems in the near-term: a thriving ecosystem of discovery science depends on strengthening bonds between science and technology, diverse communities, and democratic systems to create the seeds of new knowledge.

Civic Science Systems Change

Civic science is a growing field of study and area of practice committed to ensuring that all people can shape and benefit from science, technology, and innovation. As emerging science and technology advance rapidly, they raise questions that are not just technical but require tapping into a full array of tools—including tools from ethics, communication, community engagement, social science, and policy—as well as proximity to the people most affected to help frame problems and solutions. The civic science community is coming together to meet the need for new language, approaches, relationships, knowledge, and action.

People and organizations are working to advance civic science by collaborating across fields and sectors. We each have different areas of focus and aspiration, but we take a holistic view, recognizing that the roots of the problems we are trying to address are interconnected—and their solutions must be as well. The civic science network includes members working to catalyze:

A thriving future of science – reshaping academic science culture and practice to strengthen discovery and broaden benefits to society.

Increased community agency in science – so more communities can shape science and use it to address their priorities.

More inclusive and connected institutions – creating new models in science, philanthropy, and public engagement that emphasize collaborative co-designing.

A greater shared sense of belonging – working toward deep engagement to transform the culture of science and address harm.

A stronger role for science in civil society – so decision-makers at many levels, from local communities to nations, can use scientific evidence and tools to benefit humanity.

Strengthened incentives and norms for civic science – including training and support for engagement across scientists, ethicists, and community members throughout the research process.

Frameworks for New Approaches

Across its diversity, there are a number of areas of practice and learning that are relevant throughout the civic science landscape. Network members are working to capture these points of alignment through flexible resources that support more effective collaboration. An early example is the five pillars of civic science learning, developed by the Practice and Science of Civic Science Advisory Committee with the Civic Science Fellows network, which provide orienting points for thinking about civic science strategies and opportunities:

Understanding science in context – Examining science as a way of seeking knowledge, looking at the societal factors that influence its contours and application, and grappling with the ethics of decision-making related to science

Designing for equity and inclusion – Working to understand and identify approaches to combat structural factors that lead science, science engagement, and decision-making around science to benefit and include some social groups over others

Communicating for the future – Developing the knowledge, tools, and skills to effectively open lines of connection between science and individual and community priorities, values, curiosity, and ways of knowing

Scaffolding for learning and impact – Exploring ways of building knowledge, methods of engagement, paths toward change, and evaluation frameworks to help guide each stage of civic science project development

Leading for systems change – Cultivating approaches individuals and teams can adopt to spark civic science change at the level of structures, culture, networks, and norms

The Civic Science Network

Building relationships and connections across different kinds of expertise, work, and experiences is at the core of civic science efforts. The Civic Science Fellows program can serve as a starting place to begin to explore the many types of communities advancing civic science systems change. The program is building a network of leaders working toward change across sectors—so people from all backgrounds shape science and benefit from its power and promise. This interdisciplinary network includes journalists, bench and social scientists, community-facing practitioners, content creators, public-interest organizations, and funders who are developing evidence-based, human-centered approaches to build meaningful collaboration between science and diverse communities. The program is supported by a growing community of leaders and organizations who recognize that a culture of civic science will be key to solving the grand challenges of today and tomorrow.

Funders interested in learning more about the Civic Science Funders Collaborative, which supports the Civic Science Fellows program and more, can reach out to civicscience@ritaallen.org .

Learn More

Stories – Read stories and insights from the civic science network, including:

Lomax Boyd, Jeffrey Kahn, and Brooke Smith on the challenges and rewards of building bridges between neuroscience, ethics, and publics

Andrea Isabel López and Mónica Feliú Mójer on how scientists are using reflexivity to build trust with other community members in Puerto Rico

Anand Varma on his unexpected path to becoming a “hybrid scientist/photographer/educator/engineer” and creating a new space for experimentation

Resources – Explore research, case studies, tools, and more that can help inform civic science efforts, including:

“The Civic Science Imperative” and “How Science Philanthropy Can Build Equity,” building the case for civic science in the Stanford Social Innovation Review

A consensus study from the National Academies, Communicating Science Effectively, which helped inspire the Civic Science Fellows program

A Civic Science Career Roadmap put together by a team of Civic Science Fellows and network members as a starting point for reflection, orientation, and action

Connect

To keep in touch with the growing civic science network, sign up for the Civic Science Series newsletter and connect with us at civicscience@ritaallen.org.