About the Lab
The Civic Science Media Lab (CS-Media Lab) is an independent non-profit civic science journalism collective (click here to explore our history). Our mission is to document the diverse practices of civic science to inform, educate, and inspire current and the next generation of practitioners in the field, and the broader publics. Why? The knowledge emerging within civic science fields is often siloed within its respective communities of scholars and practitioners. Structural, cultural, and incentive-based barriers limit the exchange of insights between research and practice, making it hard for practitioners to benefit from research, for researchers to learn from practice, and for communities outside these spaces to follow developments across the field.
Through the practice of civic science ethnojournalism, the lab offers a sandbox for experimentation—using video, digital print, and radio—to surface and make sense of the knowledge, lived experiences, behaviors, motivations, and responsibilities that shape civic science. Our ethnographic work helps make these dynamics more visible, accessible, and actionable for changemakers, including scientists at all career stages, science communicators, educators, journalists, funders, entrepreneurs, and community leaders.
Our framing of the term ‘media’ – plural of the word medium which refers to the environment in which something may function or flourish.
Programs produced by the lab
| Logo Image | Description |
|---|---|
 | Questions of the Day is our weekly flagship show hosted by Dr. Fanuel Muindi. Through 1:1 interviews with scholars, practitioners, entrepreneurs, and community leaders, the program surfaces the latest questions guests are tackling from their ongoing work across the civic science landscape. Conversations on the show illuminate the context and provide a gateway to follow-on conversations on the CSM Network and projects across the lab. |
 | Local Perspectives (LP) is an issues-driven show on the CivicSciMedia Network featuring in-depth interviews with experts tackling science-related societal challenges—such as climate change, public health, technology ethics, and sustainable development—through a civic science lens grounded in the local contexts where they live and work. |
 | AuthorCast features eight to ten-minute video abstracts in which scholars articulate the actionable insights from their latest research in areas such as public engagement, participatory science, science communication, science journalism, and science policy. The goal is to make civic science scholarship more accessible and useful for diverse stakeholders. |
 | The QuickTake program reviews our engagements with stakeholders and distills them into 1-3 min YouTube Shorts. These nano-episodes provide fast entry points into insights across the civic science landscape and serve as our daily beat. Practitioners and scholars can also email us their rapid insights (between 1-3min). |
 | The Civic Science Observer (ISSN: 3067-5537) is our digital print magazine that hosts reporters who cover the latest developments through investigative pieces, interviews with changemakers across the civic science landscape, case studies, data visualizations, opinion pieces, and also features stories in science directly from scientists. The publication aims to inform and inspire scholars, practitioners, the public, and all other interested parties. Ongoing Special Series: Scientist Stories in Science, SciComm Bites, and Dear Colleague Letters. |
 | The CSML Sandbox serves as our experimental space for piloting new program types and storytelling formats. The program allows us to test new ideas of video coverage that could become part of our regular programming. We welcome ideas for new shows, series, and/or episodes on our network. |
 | Changemakers is a video program on the network that features the personal stories of founders and leaders of diverse civic science initiatives from around the world. |
 | Audio programs on the CSM Network cover topical issues related to civic science from various angles. The idea is to provide guests with different ways to share their insights to create a synergistic effect that enhances our overall coverage of the landscape. Programs include ‘Consider This Next’ with Kacie Luaders and ‘Science Engaged’ with Kristel Tjandra. |
 | The Signal Briefing is our newsroom program dedicated to surfacing the latest insights from the civic science landscape. The program covers a broad spectrum of topics, ensuring that audiences are well-informed about the current events and breakthroughs shaping the field of civic science globally. |
 | Consider This Next is an audio program from the Civic Science Media Lab that features conversations with civic science entrepreneurs building for-profit and nonprofit organizations to engage local communities with science. |
 | Hosted by Dr. Kristel Tjandra, Science Engaged is an audio program that explores why and how scientists partner with diverse communities. Dr. Tjandra speaks with scientists who have worked with local communities on a range of participatory science projects. She asks them three core questions: why public participation in science matters, what these collaborations produce, and how to do it well. |
 | The CivicSciEdu Program shares ~7-min nano-lectures from experts on key civic science topics (such as science communication, science policy, and citizen science). It is for anyone interested in learning or teaching about civic science. To propose a nano-lecture, please email f.muindi@northeastern.edu. |
Our Partners and Supporters
We extend our gratitude to all the individual and organizational donors, sponsors, and in-kind contributors who have supported our work in diverse ways. Your support has empowered us to continue our civic science journalism.
Example use cases
We envision our foundational coverage supporting the civic science ecosystem in diverse ways. For example, educators at high schools, colleges, and universities can integrate our ongoing coverage into their curricula to enhance civic science literacy. Media outlets can incorporate insights from our engagements with diverse stakeholders into their journalism practice. Science engagement researchers and practitioners can stay informed on the latest developments to integrate best practices and potential collaborations. Decision-makers at universities, philanthropic organizations, for-profit corporations, governments, non-profits, and other entities can use the coverage to guide their strategic planning, funding decisions, and initiatives across different civic science fields.
Below are examples of publication outlets where we have published articles, opinions, perspectives, case studies, and others by using insights from our civic science journalism:
We are thankful to the following organizations for the opportunity to present our work:
Alignment with existing pillars
Our work aligns closely with Rita Allen Foundation’s Pillar 1 (Scaffolding for Learning and Impact), as our civic science ethnojournalism adds a layer of translation between scholars, practitioners, and community leaders. It also advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 17 by fostering stronger partnerships, knowledge sharing, and cross-sector collaboration by making civic science insights more accessible and actionable across communities.
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