ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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SEEKING PARTNERSHIPS WITH SCIENCE CENTERS FOR COMMUNITY-BASED PARTICIPATORY RESEARCH 

 

The Loka Institute (TLI), a national 501 (c) 3 non-profit research, advocacy, and training institute is currently seeking to develop strategic partnerships with interested Science Centers to broaden and sustain participation, engagement, and understanding of Informal Science Learning through the use of Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR)

 

The Loka Institute has been in operation for over a decade and its mission is to ensure that democracy works through public engagement and participation at all levels and in all matters relating to science & technology and development.  The Loka Institute has been a leader in development and advocacy of various participatory approaches and has developed unique participatory methodologies such as Deliberative Citizen's Panels and Scenario Workshops that develop, adapt, and test participatory models to evaluate the scientific and technological developments.  Loka’s Community Research Network (CRN) - a worldwide infrastructure of community-based providers and workers, funders, and academicians offers tools, resources, information, and training related to greater citizen participation in issues central to the lives of people, and provides support for community-based research practitioners worldwide, through conferences and research projects.   

 

Currently, Loka is proposing the use of Community-Based Participatory Research,  truly participatory and democratic methodology, to advance and apply science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) by connecting community groups to Science Centers.  Through the use of CBPR, stakeholders representing the different interests of a pluralistic democracy can learn together and be equitably involved in all aspects of the research process.  Whereby, partners each are given opportunity to contribute their expertise, share responsibilities and ownership to enhance understanding of a given phenomenon, and integrate the knowledge gained with actions to address disparities and/or issues of concern within a specific community.  

 

The worldwide movement for CBPR has demonstrated that everyday residents who are affected directly by problems in their communities are capable of engaging the scientific aspects of these issues and are interested in informal science learning when they see how it is connected to their issues or daily lives.  Community-Based Participatory Research practice has grown worldwide over the past decade and the Loka Institute has been at the forefront of a popular movement for community-driven policies in research, science, and technology to advance democracy, social justice, and ecological sustainability at every level – from neighborhoods to nations.    

 

In order to pursue this endeavor we need to hear from you.  If you are interested and/or would like more information please contact: 

 

Rachel Maldonado, MSW

Regional Coordinator

The Loka Institute

512-295-4897

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www.lokainstitute.org

 

 



Rachel Maldonado 
 

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