Our community Charter
Revised: January 2020
Participants – Who We Are
SciComm Trainers Network participants are individuals and organizations who:
- Train or aspire to train scientists in communication and engagement skills,
- Study science communication training,
- Fund science communication training.
Purpose – Why We Exist
The SciComm Trainers Network cultivates a community of individuals and organizations who are committed to advancing science communication training that builds scientists’ capacity to engage diverse audiences and strengthen relationships across society.
Priorities – What We Do
The SciComm Trainers Network aims to explore the following priority areas to advance and amplify science communication training:
- Cultivate Community — connect, recognize, validate, advocate for, and support each other by engaging in network activities including convenings, peer mentorship, and our online communication system.
- Professionalize the Field — collaborate to share evidence-based practices, improve efficiency, and measure impact; establish clear quality and information sharing standards; connect research and practice; and build resources and institutional support for science communication training; advancing institutional change; ensuring there is equitability for the people in this field.
- Broaden Participation — expand opportunities and access points for current and aspiring science communication trainers; map, categorize, and communicate the various offerings across the field; and increase diversity and inclusivity among trainers and trainees; developing inclusive practices and language.
Network priorities will always address our purpose, but specific priority areas may shift as our network evolves.
Principles – How We Work
Network participants agree to prioritize and practice the following guiding principles in our collective work:
- Inspiring Community — Participants build connections and cultivate trusting, positive relationships that enrich and enliven all participants’ work and support the wellbeing of everyone in the network.
- Equitable Inclusion — Participants create an empowering network that seeks out and elevates a wide variety of perspectives, experiences, and identities, especially those that have historically been underrepresented. This includes ensuring equitable access to the opportunities provided by the network.
- Respectful Collaboration — Participants advance our common purpose while respecting ownership and livelihoods, including boundaries around proprietary information, intellectual property, and business practices.
- Accountability — Participants hold themselves and each other to ways of working that advance the quality and professionalism of the field, particularly through effective and reflective conduct and communication.