NSF-BIO held a Virtual Office Hour on November 18th on the topic of “How to Ensure That Your Broader Impact and Broadening Participation Plans Have IMPACT” that was very well attended. We had a special guest speaker for this Office Hour, Dr. Susan Renoe from the NSF-supported Center for Advancing Research Impact in Society (ARIS).   

ARIS works with scientists to help them engage in activities that have meaningful and long-term impact in their communities and society. The center offers strategies for building capacity, growing partnerships, and leveraging existing resources to enhance the impact of individual and institutional efforts to benefit society.

Broader Impacts is a merit review criterion of every proposal to the National Science Foundation. There is a diversity of ways to achieve effective Broader Impacts. A few of the resources offered by ARIS include how to create a public engagement plan, Broader Impacts webinars held by ARIS, and a Broader Impact Wizard.

The slides and recordings from the Office Hour are available on the Office Hours part of the MCB Blog.