Inquiries may be directed to the Center for Public Engagement with Science and Technology via email
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The AAAS Center for Public Engagement with Science and Technology manages the AAAS Alan I. Leshner Leadership Institute for Public Engagement with Science. Each year, 15 AAAS Leshner Fellows are selected from disciplines at the nexus of an important science-society issue. They convene for a week of intensive public engagement and science communication training and public engagement plan development. In addition to their individual plan, they are encouraged to consider collaborative projects with one or more other fellows to pursue over the course of the year. AAAS Leshner Fellows return to their institutions with a renewed commitment to develop and implement public engagement activities, train and mentor other scientists in their communities, and promote public engagement within their institutions.
AAAS Leshner Fellows continue their development as leaders throughout the year via regular virtual meetings and support from staff, experts in the field of public engagement and their cohort. Throughout the year, Fellows provide progress updates about their activities and work with AAAS staff to document and share their efforts in a variety of ways (such as developing short case studies and writing a blog post). AAAS actively promotes the Fellows’ successes through its website and social media. AAAS also provides either a workshop at each Fellow’s institution or seed money for a public engagement-related project.
AAAS Leshner Fellows focus their activities in two areas during the Fellowship year: public engagement and institutional change. Public engagement with science describes intentional, meaningful interactions that provide opportunities for mutual learning between scientists and members of the public. Institutional change focuses on building understanding about, capacity for and support of public engagement within the various institutions researchers are affiliated with, including universities, government agencies, professional societies and private industry.
Inquiries may be directed to the AAAS Center for Public Engagement with Science and Technology via email.