The Center for Scientific Collaboration and Community Engagement (CSCCE) is a research and training center to support and study the emerging field of scientific community engagement.
Scientific community engagement, also known as community management, refers to the human infrastructure that is necessary to support healthy and productive STEM communities. These roles include a range of job titles – from community manager, program manager, and network engagement manager to assistant director of a research center. In all cases, the purpose of community engagement is to connect and empower members to work together towards a common goal.
The goal and focus areas of the Center
The goal of CSCCE is to professionalize and institutionalize the role of the community engagement manager within science. All of our activities are in service of this.
Underpinned by an ethos of collaborative, evidence-based activities and the development of network-centric leaders, CSCCE has three focus areas:
Cohort-based learning
Multi-format training options and a community of practice to support scientific community professionals through the creation of shared language and mental models, group reflection, and peer support.
Consultancy and Resources
The development of trusted resources for individuals and organizations working to build or fund scientific networks and communities, and the provision of responsive, contextualized consultancy.
Research
Research to better characterize and support the emerging role of the scientific community engagement manager – including through collaborations with others.
These three areas are tightly interlinked – with the research informing training materials and organizational feedback signposting future areas for research and/or curriculum development.
Get started with CSCCE
There are multiple ways to engage with CSCCE, our vibrant community of scientific community professionals, and the resources we have published.
COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE
We host a community of practice of more than 850 scientific community professionals from around the world with programming including a monthly community call.
EXPLORE OUR RESOURCES
We’ve published more than 100 free resources, which have been downloaded more than 50,000 times.
Check out our three-part guidebook on the Community Participation Model:
Download our four-part virtual events guidebook:
Review what other scientific communities look like:
Explore scientific community manager roles:
Recent blog Posts
We regularly share news and knowledge on our blog.
- How Canvas LMS supports participation in the CSCCE Community Manager Certification Program
- A behind-the-scenes look at how we take a “pilot” training and consolidate it into its final, “steady state” form
- Updates to the CSCCE Community Manager Certification Program including a “pay-as-you-go” option!
- January/February 2025 Community Call Recap: An update from CSCCE and a community conversation
- January’s community call – An update from CSCCE
- December 2024 Community Call Recap – Cooking up connections at our annual potluck!
- Project Management for Scientists: A new training course from CSCCE!
Take a training
CSCCE offers a range of training options to support scientific community professionals. Enrollment is currently open for:
Mini-workshops
Standalone, 90-120 minute events. Registration is currently open for:
- Giving and receiving feedback – 7 May 2025
- Enacting culture change: The Four Frame Model – 2 July 2025
- Designing for effective decision-making during virtual meetings – 16 July 2025
- Creating core values statements – 6 August 2025
- Working with volunteers – 1 October 2025
- An introduction to project management for scientists – 5 November 2025
CSCCE Mini-workshop descriptions
Courses
3-8 week online, cohort-based trainings.
- Nurturing Online Communities – 30 September – 14 November 2025
Certification
Our flagship, advanced training taking up to two years to complete.