What is the Civico platform?
Civico is a digital platform for those who want to learn more about policymaking, including scientists and researchers from all sectors and career levels, and organizations looking to showcase their state policy programs. The platform seeks to educate and guide individuals toward meaningful policy action, and to illuminate a wide array of policy touchpoints, including engagement opportunities within the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the government.
Note: This platform is a pilot version meant to provide a flavor of the types of training opportunities available at the state level in science policy and to facilitate connections with a set number of policy professionals. Future versions of the platform will include additional policy opportunities, details and connections.
Why was the platform created, what is the need?
The platform is focused on state level training opportunities for scientists at several career stages, and provides scientific expertise for policymakers among the users. It was created to engage scientists in policy, provide scientific expertise to policymakers and create a community at the state and local level. Our survey showed a high level of interest from early career scientists to engage in policymaking, but mid- and late- stage researchers may also be interested in joining and are encouraged to learn about resources available to them and share opportunities with their trainees.
Why would I use it? How will it benefit me as a user?
For users, the platform provides a simple, convenient, and tailored way to learn about state level policy training and take meaningful action, with the following benefits:
- Helps users figure out trainings that can help them intervene on their policy issue of interest in a variety of ways;
- Fosters effective, sustainable collaborations between scientists and policymakers to address local and state level needs, and help scientists understand the state-level policy process, and where and how they can participate;
- Introduces scientists to organizations and institutions that offer the proper training for the type of policy work they wish to pursue;
- Provides scientific expertise for policymakers and their staff who may find researchers within the platform useful for their needs.
Is the platform usage limited to Sigma Xi members?
No, it is not. The platform is open to anyone interested in science policy to create a free account, making Sigma Xi a hub for scientists at all career stages to connect to each other, to policymakers, and to organizations offering state and local policy opportunities. We aim for the platform to be used by both academics and non-academics invested in the future of science from a number of sectors.
I’m an organization who wants to advertise opportunities. What is the value proposition for me?
The platform will connect policy players, showcase policy-engaged organizations, highlight training opportunities, and empower individuals from diverse backgrounds to successfully engage in policy at the state level.
Through the platform, organizations have the opportunity to:
- Promote their policy trainings offered for users and gain additional applicants for their opportunities;
- Connect with users as potential customers who can enroll in their programs or who may want to get involved with their organization;
- Be part of a hub for organization leaders to connect with each other and share best practices and programs that provide unique offerings or complement existing opportunities.
Who is involved in the platform?
The platform is hosted by Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society, which is a non-profit honor society for scientists and engineers. The society has a long-standing reputation for promoting scientific research and innovation and has been instrumental in advancing scientific knowledge across various fields.
What is the platform cost for users and organizations?
There is no cost for users to access the platform. In addition, there is no cost for organizations in this pilot version of the platform. We wish for the platform to be accessible and useful to all organizations and individuals, particularly as many groups have limited budgets and individual users tend to be early-career, and can benefit from free access to the platform. In future versions, we may charge a fee based on the size of the organization and/or the availability of funds. We welcome feedback on the utility of the platform from organizations and individuals as well as feedback on whether payment would be feasible in the future.
How is the platform funded?
The platform is funded through the Rita Allen Foundation, which invests in transformative ideas in their earliest stages to leverage their growth and promote breakthrough solutions to significant problems. This includes policy engagement through projects at the intersection of science and society to facilitate civic engagement.
Contact information
For questions about the platform content, to showcase your initiative or get involved in other ways, please complete this form. For technical issues, contact xx.