What We're Solving For: The ENGAGE Initiative

How to Engage Communities Better as Scientists

ENGAGE is all about creating bold yet practical science communication strategies - and then turning those plans into projects for scientists to deepen their public and civic engagement at an especially important moment for scientist voices to be heard.

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HOW IS ENGAGE DIFFERENT?

ENGAGE works to make lasting improvements to science communication at a time when we desperately need greater information literacy and better relationships between science and the world.

Training vs Tactics

By stepping back from immediate solutions and offering an expansive process of science and science communication as a fundamentally human endeavor, we build a solid foundation for sustainable and courageous science communication.

Feedback & Fellowship

Our approach to science communication is different: both deeply personal and politically engaged. We challenge every participant to stretch far beyond the methods and habits that have served their science well so far.

Community & Commitments

This is a challenging time to do - or communicate about - science. Frustration, anger, and fear are rational responses. But in each workshop we create constructive engagement projects and the commitments to see them through.

OUR EXPERIMENTS

The ENGAGE Workshops

In 2025, our co-founder Liz Neeley of Liminal launched the first two-day intensive in-person ENGAGE workshops in collaboration with several institutions with strong faculty demand and support. Our initial hosts were the University of Washington, the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Utah. Each session sparked new ideas and experiments that became new projects.

We developed a risk management program to help participants develop response plans, protocols and resources for coping with crises

We hosted recurring “hot topic” discussion sessions in a heated year for critical debriefs on the latest news for research science funding as well as collectively pooling our knowledge and analysis of real-world events

We launched information sharing strategies and experiments like the weekly debrief Meeting the Moment and the Scientists in Solidarity Action Hours.

A community model started by scientists, for everyone.

2-Day Intensive — 2026 Cohort

We have space for one more two-day intensive ENGAGE workshop this year. If you're a faculty member or institutional partner interested in hosting, we'd love to hear from you. Previous hosts include University of Washington, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Utah.

ENGAGE PROGRAMS & PROJECTS

What happens when scientists share what inspires them with their communities? The ENGAGE in Libraries model, started by ENGAGE alumni, is showing us what's possible.

A community model started by scientists, for everyone.

Marion Pepper

Founder, ENGAGE in Libraries

Patrick Mitchell

Organizer & Host, UW Microbiology

In Seattle, a group of UW researchers led by Marion Pepper, PhD, have been hosting packed Sunday Science parties in partnership with the public library. While more events are being planned for summer, we're putting together a playbook for others who want to try the model where they are.

ENGAGE in Libraries Playbook

We're developing the ENGAGE in Libraries Playbook to help members bring this model to their own institutions. Interested in starting one where you are?

Let Us Know →

ENGAGE PROGRAMS & PROJECTS

CivicENGAGEment

We're developing the ENGAGE in Libraries Playbook to help members bring this model to their own institutions. Interested in starting one where you are?

ENGAGE in Libraries Playbook

We're developing the ENGAGE in Libraries Playbook to help members bring this model to their own institutions. Interested in starting one where you are?

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Upcoming Event

Rally For California Science

Thousands of scientists, clinicians, educators, and community members will gather in Sacramento to demand Governor Gavin Newsom place the California Health & Science Research Bond Act (SB 895) on the November 2026 ballot — protecting life-saving research at California institutions threatened by federal cuts

Need a Ride? Researchers from across the state are heading to Sacramento together — and community members are welcome. Sign up for a seat when you RSVP.]

RSVP

More Resources

Our collaborators and partners have more resources for scientists ready to communicate, advocate, and lead.
For even more tools, practical strategies and playbooks, join us! Members have access to all our resources.

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