Science is Culture:  Understanding Power & Privilege in Community-based Research

As communities increasingly grapple with problems of resiliency and environmental health and safety, scientists who are equipped to help are needed. The Engaged Scientist project is a series of free public talks and associated workshops for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. These events aim to equip scientists with community engagement skills.

The final event in the Engaged Scientist Series is on April 6, 2017. A public lecture will be presented in the CIRES Auditorium (CIRES Main, 338) and a workshop for graduate students and postdocs will be held in the CIRES Fellows Room (Eckeley, S274) from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on the CU Boulder main campus.

Scientists often work in and with communities whether working on research, promoting findings especially in the fields of resiliency, environment and sustainability.

Michelle Gabrieloff-Parish, Energy & Climate Justice Program Manager at the CU Boulder Environmental Center, and Heidi McCann, Associate Scientist at the National Snow and Ice Data Center, will give a public lecture and then co-lead a workshop with Susan Sullivan, Director of CIRES Education and Outreach.

The workshop examines the scientific worldview lens and explores best practices for working with communities, including developing inter-cultural awareness, conducting research so that communities benefit, and understanding the value of local communities (including disenfranchised communities) and “informal” knowledge.  

During this workshop we will:

Look at relevant, mini case-studies 
Look at cultural communication and behavior patterns
Work through equity and justice dilemmas for community-engaged research 
Discuss how to initiate and strengthen community partnerships

“This generation of researchers is more interested than ever in working with communities,” said Susan Sullivan, director of CIRES Education and Outreach. “Given new University investments in science communication and in demonstrating research impact, the time is right to support those interests and provide models for doing it effectively."

Lecture registration (optional)

Workshop registration (required)

Visit the Engaged Scientist project page for details about all events in the series.

The Engaged Scientist series is coordinated by CU's new Albert A. Bartlett Center for Science Communication, CIRES Education and Outreach, INSTAAR, and Learn More About Climate at the Office for Outreach and Engagement.