Science in Solidarity
Designing leadership systems that transform concern into collective action. #
The Opportunity #
Many scientists are deeply concerned about attacks on science, higher education, and democratic institutions.
Yet the culture of science often prepares people to solve problems as individuals rather than members of organized communities. Independence, specialization, and political neutrality can make it difficult to build the relationships, shared strategy, and leadership needed for sustained collective action.
The challenge wasn't simply to mobilize scientists around a single issue.
It was to build an organization where people could move from isolation and concern toward connection, purpose, and long-term leadership.
How We Got There #
I designed Science in Solidarity as both a political home and a leadership development organization.
Rather than treating organizing and leadership development as separate activities, we embedded learning into every part of the organization's design—from onboarding conversations and Action Hours to campaign planning and volunteer leadership.
Every part of the organization was designed around one question:
How does this help more people grow into leadership?
Build relationships before asking for action #
Every member's journey began with conversation.
Instead of immediately asking people to volunteer, I facilitated one-on-one conversations that explored their motivations, experiences, and hopes for the community.
Those conversations helped people find meaningful ways to contribute while laying the foundation for long-term relationships and shared commitment.
Design leadership into everyday participation #
Leadership wasn't something people earned after years of involvement.
It was something they practiced from the beginning.
Action Hours combined political education, relationship-building, and coordinated action while creating opportunities for participants to facilitate discussions, support one another, and gradually take on greater responsibility.
By embedding leadership into everyday organizing, participants developed confidence through practice rather than waiting until they felt "ready."
Build systems that develop people #
Rather than concentrating responsibility within a small leadership team, Science in Solidarity was intentionally designed to distribute leadership across volunteers.
We created leadership pathways, collaborative team structures, strategic planning processes, and coalition relationships that helped members develop new skills while strengthening the organization itself.
Every organizational system was intentionally designed to:
- Strengthen relationships across the community.
- Advance shared goals through coordinated campaigns.
- Develop new leaders through meaningful participation.
Outcomes #
Science in Solidarity became more than an activist organization.
It became a place where scientists could build relationships, develop organizing skills, and practice collective leadership while responding to urgent threats facing science and democracy.
The organization developed recurring Action Hours, leadership pathways, volunteer teams, strategic planning processes, coalition partnerships, and ongoing political education that supported both immediate campaigns and long-term community building.
Perhaps most importantly, it demonstrated that scientists are eager to lead—not simply as experts, but as organizers, facilitators, educators, and members of democratic communities.
Inside the Organization #
Rather than showcasing photographs (for privacy concerns), I wanted to share some of the systems and tools that made the organization work. These artifacts illustrate how leadership development was woven into the organization's everyday practice.
Leadership Pathway #
A visual roadmap showing how participants could grow from attending an Action Hour to facilitating meetings, leading campaigns, and mentoring new leaders.
Why it mattered
Leadership wasn't treated as a title to earn—it was a progression of increasingly meaningful opportunities to contribute.
Action Hour Agenda #
A typical agenda illustrating how every gathering integrated political education, relationship-building, reflection, and coordinated action.
Why it mattered
Every meeting served two purposes: advancing our campaigns while helping participants develop confidence, strategic thinking, and facilitation skills.
One-on-One Conversation Guide #
Questions used during onboarding conversations to help members identify where their interests, values, and skills aligned with the organization's work.
Why it mattered
Rather than recruiting volunteers into predefined roles, these conversations helped people find meaningful ways to contribute while building relationships from the very beginning.
Campaign Strategy #
An excerpt from the organization's strategic planning process showing how long-term goals, campaign priorities, and leadership development reinforced one another.
Why it mattered
Rather than organizing around isolated events, we designed every campaign to strengthen three things at once:
- Building relationships across the community
- Coordinating action around shared goals
- Inviting people to step into leadership and responsibility
The strategy connected day-to-day organizing work with the long-term project of building a resilient scientific community.
Mutual Aid Campaign #
How organizing, storytelling, and concrete action came together in practice.
Rather than beginning with a petition or a protest, we launched a mutual aid campaign that invited science workers to support one another through resource sharing, relationship-building, and political education.
The campaign addressed immediate needs while helping participants experience solidarity as something they practiced together—not simply a value they agreed with.
In doing so, it transformed a moment of crisis into an opportunity to build lasting community and collective leadership.
Looking for something similar? #
Whether you're building a volunteer-led organization, strengthening leadership within an existing team, or designing systems that help more people step into meaningful responsibility, I'd love to help.
Together, we can create organizations where leadership isn't concentrated in a few people—it's cultivated throughout the community.
Want to join us? #
Check out our website #
Continue exploring #
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