Community Engagement

Community Engagement

Igniting curiosity and shaping the future of science

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At the Morgridge Institute, community engagement is integral to our mission to spark scientific curiosity and to serve society in partnership with UW–Madison. Our vision of “community” includes students, teachers, researchers, and the general public, extending far beyond the laboratory:

  • We create programs that inspire the next generation of fearless scientists.  
  • We empower educators to enrich their STEM classrooms with innovative resources.  
  • We provide professional training to cultivate well-rounded, visionary early-career researchers.

Join us to build and sustain a vibrant scientific community! Whether you’re interested in collaborating to develop a new program or in joining an existing one, we are excited to connect with you. Reach out to a member of our team and become part of our journey to connect with others through science.

Collaborate with Us

Our goal is to work with you and your communities in authentic, useful ways. We are always looking to build connections among scientists, community organizations, schools, and the public. We’re also interested in experimenting with new models for engagement. Learn more

Community Engagement Director Wes Marner

Wes Marner, PhD is the Engagement, Education, and Equity Director at the Morgridge Institute for Research. His team creates public engagement programming, provides one-on-one advising, and  creates professional development opportunities for early-career scientists. He is also responsible for aspects of the institute’s diversity, equity, and inclusion activities. Marner holds professional certifications as a Diversity and Inclusion Practitioner and as a facilitator for the Entering Mentoring training curricula from the Center for the Improvement of Mentoring Experiences in Research.  He is a member of the National Academic Advising Association and the Wisconsin Society of Science Teachers, and he is a member of the National Academies’ Roundtable on Mentorship, Well-Being, and Professional Development. He has held both academic and private-sector positions engaged in trainee development, public engagement with science, informal science education, and scientific team management. Dr. Marner earned a BS from Virginia Tech and a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley.

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