Civic Science Fellow
College of Communication, Boston University
Appointment start date: Sept 1, 2026
Duration: 18-months
ABOUT MISI
The Center for Media Innovation & Social Impact (MISI) connects communication research with practitioners and policymakers to explore what makes information trusted and messengers trustworthy. MISI investigates the role of stories, creative practices, and digital tools in translating science and other facts into usable information. We work alongside communities most affected by social and institutional breakdown to test new models of communication that are more accountable, inclusive, and worthy of public trust.
THE OPPORTUNITY
Under President Melissa Gilliam, Boston University strives to be Boston’s University. This will require intentional and impactful partnerships with the city and the region. It will require a commitment from university scientists not just to translate scientific findings after the fact, but also, when appropriate, to collaborate with communities on shaping research questions. Civic science is not just the clear communication of scientific fact, but a negotiation of interpersonal and institutional trust relationships. This is all in the context of generative AI creating new opportunities for effective science communication, while also posing additional threats to accuracy, privacy, and integrity.
With support from the Rita Allen Foundation, MISI is recruiting a Fellow to spearhead the Civic Science Communication and Public Engagement (C-SCAPE) initiative to support the production of scientific knowledge in the public’s interest. Across higher education, there is increasing value placed on the social impact of research and teaching, but universities tend to lack the analytical tools to understand what this means in diverse contexts. To address this need, we will create an evaluative framework by cataloging the wide array of current efforts at Boston University, ranging from researchers translating their scientific findings into policy briefs to researchers working alongside communities to shape research questions to instructors creating experiential learning opportunities for students. Through cataloging, typing, and rigorous analysis of approaches and their intended outcomes in one university, the Fellow will lead the effort to build an evaluative framework and practice guide for researchers and their collaborators.
Some of the questions guiding this work include:
- How do university administrators, faculty, and community collaborators define social impact?
- What are the incentives for faculty, students, and community partners for doing science communication work?
- What level of collaboration is needed for what outcomes?
- What kinds of communication are effective for different audiences? And what audiences are scientists trying to reach?
- What role is generative AI playing in science communication now and in the future?
ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES
In support of C-SCAPE (75% time):
- Conduct a comprehensive literature review of science communication in the public’s interest
- Interview researchers and teachers across the university to understand current modes of practice, intended outcomes, and challenges
- Develop map of research partnerships at the university
- Create partnership templates and governance models for community–university collaboration
- Create an evaluative framework for assessing impact of civic science communication
- Contribute to an online resource that includes video stories from researchers, as well as case studies and frameworks
- Develop civic science communication workshops for both community organizations and university faculty and administrator
- Collaborate on the preparation of manuscripts related to the initiative
- Travel to meetings and conferences as necessary to support the initiative’s goals
In support of the Fellow’s professional development (25% time):
- Develop expertise in public scholarship and science communication and connect to researchers from a variety of disciplines
- Contribute to peer-reviewed research publications
- Build professional networks across academic, policy, civic, and media sectors through MISI’s Trust and Storytelling fellowship, and gain practice in creative communication techniques.
- Participate fully in the intellectual life of MISI, including seminars, workshops, and interdisciplinary research discussions that deepen expertise in science policy, creative storytelling, and public engagement
- Participate in weekly virtual meetings with the national network of Civic Science Fellows facilitated by the Rita Allen Foundation.
