About

Why Civic Science?
Civic Science prepares scientists and citizens with skills and sensibilities to respond to the urgent challenges that science faces in our lives and communities.

Humanizing The Science Conversation, Jonathan Garlic, TEDx Tufts

Culture of Civic Science

Civic Science confronts existing systemic and institutional barriers related to marginalization, bias and exclusion on the basis of race, gender (identity and expression), ethnicity, ability, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, age, familial history of higher education and the intersections of those identities, that prevent engagement of all individuals in science issues.

Practice of Civic Science

Civic Science practice creates a productive climate for civic participation in science through open-minded and well-informed conversations about complex, uncertain and divisive science issues.

Impact of Civic Science

Building relationships: Civic Science promotes relationships between scientists and citizens so they can partner to build diverse teams of civic and scientific problem solvers.

Developing skills: Civic Science is creating an inclusive environment for engagement in science issues by training scientists and citizens with capacities that facilitate and promote public participation.

Shifting attitudes: Civic Science redefines how citizens experience science by teaching skills that build relationships of trust with scientists AND redefines how scientists learn to respect expertise that reflect citizen’s hopes and concerns on science issues.