CSCCE Community Manager Certification Program

Over the past 18 months, CSCCE has been piloting a Community Manager Certification Program for STEM community managers interested in further developing their professional skills. Based on our experiences so far, we’re making a few changes to how we administer the program, to additionally offer the option of a “pay-as-you-go” model with more scheduling flexibility. We’ll have more detailed information to share soon, but in the meantime, if you are interested in becoming a certified scientific community manager, please reach out to us and we would be happy to discuss your options for joining the program.

Preparing and designing for large-scale collaborations (registration closes on Monday)

5 and 12 February 2025 (two-part series), 11am – 1pm EST / 4-6pm UTC

In this two-part series of two-hour workshops, you will explore dimensions of team readiness for large, multi-stakeholder collaborative initiatives and how a team readiness assessment can be used to identify which areas you need to address as a priority. Then, you will explore how to report the results back to the team and determine next steps to take. Using a framework describing collaborative approaches, you will identify which combination of approaches or activities will be helpful for the next stage of your collaboration.

Note: Typically, we offer a limited number of discounted tickets thanks to the generous support of participants who pay the supporting rate for our multi-week courses. However, in light of the ongoing uncertainty around STEM funding in the US, we’re offering a few extra free tickets to this workshop series for those impacted by the cuts. Click “request a discount” below to receive a free ticket.

Register | Request a discount

Making a PACT for engaging virtual meetings and events

19 March 2025, 11am – 1pm EDT / 3-5pm UTC

With virtual work increasingly the norm, community managers are often tasked with convening and facilitating virtual meetings. In this Mini-workshop, you will discuss the opportunities and challenges of virtual meetings and explore the “Making a PACT” framework (Purpose, Attendees, Community management, Tech tools) for effective meeting design. You will apply the framework directly to example scenarios so that you leave feeling empowered to use the framework in your own community management.

Register | Request a discount

An introduction to project management for scientists (newly added!)

20 March 2025, 12-2pm EST / 4-6pm UTC

This two hour session provides an overview of the concepts and approaches scientists can use in managing their collaborative projects. You will leave the session able to describe what a project is and the relationship between projects and operations. We’ll also discuss the three types of project and their relationship to uncertainty and complexity. Finally, we will explore the competencies of an effective project leader, whatever their job title. Please note that we also offer a six-session Project Management for Scientists Bootcamp that significantly expands on the topics covered in this Mini-workshop, and sets you up to put many of these principles into practice using HBR’s Project Canvas.

Register | Request a discount

Designing for effective decision-making during virtual meetings

16 April 2025 11am – 12:30pm EDT / 3-4:30pm UTC

Meetings and virtual events often involve asking attendees to make decisions. Decision-making invokes numerous considerations, including how to negotiate power dynamics, empower everyone to express their opinions, and actually reach the outcome(s) you desire. In this Mini-workshop, you will explore four broad decision-making modes (authority rule, consultation, voting, and consensus) and then use the PACT framework to plan a decision-making process. You will leave prepared to deploy decision-making processes in a way that invites all attendees at your meetings and events to contribute.

Register | Request a discount

Giving and receiving feedback

7 May 2025 11am – 1pm EDT / 3-5pm UTC

Providing useful and kind feedback to others and being open to receiving feedback ourselves is a critical skill for effective collaboration – including during other CSCCE activities! During this session, we’ll explore the functions of feedback, how to structure yours, and what can make receiving feedback easier.

Register | Request a discount