Virtual Discussion Series
The ASPIRE Virtual Discussion Series (VDS) is a good place for anyone interested in learning more about community-engaged science and research. If you are new to these topics, you’ll leave with a theoretical foundation and concrete steps to get started. If you already have experience, you can explore theories that will help you improve your work, explain it to others, and make a stronger case.
Two Ways to Participate
Virtual Discussion Series offers 2 ways to participate and learn: Webinars, and Learning Circles.
Webinars take place every other Tuesday on a variety of topics. Dial in to any that interest you!
Learning Circles meet on the alternating weeks between the VDS webinars.
Webinars
Together with Community Leaders from across the nation, join a series of 6 discussions designed for geoscientists who want to explore the theories, principles, and practices that provide the foundations for research with community partners.
Topics include an introduction to community-engaged research in geoscience, centering community, building and maintaining relationships, learning from histories of scientific engagement with communities, data sharing and data sovereignty, and translating all this into practice.
Before each webinar, we’ll share optional readings and other materials you can use to get familiar with the topic. During the webinar, you’ll receive presentations from community leaders, participate in small-group discussions, plan how you’ll incorporate what you learn into your practice, and get feedback from community advisors.
Learning Circles
New in 2026, Virtual Discussion Series offers Learning Circles for groups of 6 committed participants who want to dive deeper on tools, skills & resources discussed in the webinars, and translate their learning into practice in a peer-supported space. Each Learning Circle convenes with a Community Voice–a community member sharing their unique experience, and an ASPIRE facilitator for peer to peer discussion.
Because Learning Circles are meant to be a space for courageous exploration with supportive peers, we ask folks to commit to participating in all meetings at their scheduled time, as much as possible.
Webinars Registration (Registration Closed)
Everyone interested in community-engaged geoscience can register for any (or all) of the below webinars. You’ll be able to choose as many or as few as you wish. Use the button below to register.
- Tuesday, 3/24/26, 3-4:00pm ET: What is Community-Engaged Science?
- Tuesday, 4/7/26, 3-4:00pm ET: Cultural and Scientific Humility
- Tuesday, 4/21/26, 3-4:00pm ET: Centering Community
- Tuesday, 5/5/26, 3-4:00pm ET: Starting Relationships
- Tuesday, 5/19/26, 3-4:00pm ET: Building Relationships
- Tuesday, 6/2/26, 3-4:00pm ET: Evolving Relationships
Learning Circles (Registration Closed)
We welcome everyone interested in extending their learning from the VDS Webinars into a peer supported discussion space to register for a Learning Circle. Learning Circles are an offering with limited participant spaces in order to keep groups small and discussion fruitful, so we ask that you come to as many as possible. Please indicate your availability in the interest form below. Registration will be confirmed on an ongoing basis–expect a response within a day or two.
Learning Circles Schedule (6 sessions, alternating with Webinar weeks):
Mondays starting 3/30, 3pm ET
Thursdays starting 4/2, 4pm ET
