About
Core Team
Caren Cooper, Co-Director
Dr. Caren Cooper joined NC State in 2016 as a Chancellor’s Faculty Excellence Program cluster hire in Leadership in Public Science. She is a professor in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources. Her research focuses on ornithology, human dimensions of conservation, and diversity, equity, and inclusion in the participatory sciences.
Zakiya Leggett, Co-Director
Dr. Zakiya Leggett joined NC State in 2016. She is an associate professor in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources in the College of Natural Resources. Her research focuses on the sustainability of intercropping in pine plantations and diversity, equity, and inclusion in science. Zakiya is the Campus Director of the Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program and the Program Coordinator of the Scholars for Conservation Leadership Program.
Brooklynn Joyner, Program Manager
Dr. Brooklynn Joyner earned her undergraduate degree in Botany at NC State in 2016, then expanded her expertise from plant community ecology to understanding the public relationship with science. She completed her PhD in 2026, exploring public trust in science and participatory science applications. Brooklynn works to build stronger connections between people, nature, and science, particularly in rural communities, and manages day-to-day operations and project management for Citizen Science Campus.
Karen Ciccone, Lead Librarian for Public Science
Karen Ciccone connects faculty, staff, and students with opportunities to engage the public through library programs, services, spaces, and technologies.
Steering Committee
Professor, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
University Program Manager, Global One Health Academy
Director, Office of Undergraduate Research
Teaching Professor, Biological Sciences
Associate Dean, Executive Director of Academic Enrichment Programming
Co-Director of the Environmental Sciences Program and Assistant Teaching Professor, College of Natural Resources
Academic Program Manager, Climate and Sustainability Academy
K-12 Data Science Coordinator, Data Science and AI Academy
Director of Science Engagement, Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost
Partners
The College of Natural Resources
The College of Natural Resources builds on the nation’s first forestry programs and has grown to meet evolving environmental and industry needs. Today, it is a global leader in sustainability and stewardship, offering cutting-edge education, research, outreach and extension in areas ranging from forest management to bioenergy to outdoor recreation. Through these activities, we advance economic vitality, support environmental health, strengthen natural resource–based industries and improve quality of life in North Carolina and around the world.
The Leadership in Public Science Cluster
Part of the Chancellor’s Faculty Excellence Program, the Leadership in Public Science Cluster focuses on citizen science and science communication. We conduct research that directly engages the public, particularly those in underserved communities, in citizen science research. We also study the impact of public participation in science, particularly in informal educational settings. Our interdisciplinary research will develop best practices and theoretical frameworks for improving the way researchers communicate their science and engage stakeholders. Building on these foundations, our cluster will grow and integrate science communication and public engagement programs that train NC State scientists to more effectively communicate across diverse publics. We will partner with faculty leading complementary programs and lead campus-wide efforts that promote public engagement in science.
Global One Health Academy
NC State’s Global One Health Academy engages faculty, staff, undergraduate and graduate students in improving the health of plants, animals, biodiversity and human society in North Carolina and beyond. The Academy offers the Graduate Certificate in Participatory Sciences and Participatory Sciences Microgrants.
NC State University Libraries
The NC State University Libraries supports citizen science and shares its values of openness, access, and community engagement and participation. The Libraries partners with the Citizen Science Campus in numerous ways, including sponsoring our AAPS organizational affilation, helping organize the Citizen Science Incubator and Pack Science Challenge, and lending technology.
SciStarter
SciStarter is an online community dedicated to improving the citizen science experience for project managers and participants. Over 3,000 projects and events are searchable by location, scientific topic, and age level, and by joining SciStarter, members can track their contributions and provide valuable feedback. SciStarter also supports researchers in managing projects, including best practices for engaging participant partners.
Association for Advancing Participatory Sciences
NC State is an organizational affiliate of the Association for Advancing Participatory Sciences (AAPS), a member-driven organization that connects people from a wide range of experiences around one shared purpose: advancing knowledge through research and monitoring done by, for, and with members of the public. Read about affiliate benefits and how to join.
Sponsorship Opportunities
We bring scholars, scientists, community members, and students together at NC Citizen & Community Science Conferences. These are only possible through the help of sponsors. If you’d like be a sponsor of the next Conference, please contact [email protected]
Contact Us
Questions? Send us an email at [email protected].