Graduate students are learning how to move beyond academic audiences and bring their research into K–12 classrooms through hands-on STEM outreach. This workshop series gives participants the tools to translate complex science into engaging, interactive experiences. The result is stronger communicators and more accessible science for the community.
CSBS News
CSBS Staff Attend the 2026 NORDP Annual Conference
Learn about our staff’s key takeaways from their recent trip to a national research development conference in Indianapolis. Discussions focused on new approaches to supporting researchers, including AI tools, funding strategies, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The insights gained will help inform CSBS research support at Illinois.
From Strategy to Storytelling: Designing Competitive Broader Impact Workshop
Researchers from across disciplines came together to explore new strategies for strengthening the societal impact of their work and developing more competitive grant proposals. Read how the workshop combined practical tools, collaborative learning, and national expertise to support research that connects with communities and public priorities.
PRLF Celebration Day Highlights Student Research Advancing Public Policy in Illinois
Illinois legislators, university leaders, and student fellows celebrated the completion of this year’s CSBS Policy Research Legislative Fellows Program research projects and the how they shaped real policy decisions across the state. The projects highlighted how evidence-based work is informing conversations on education, equity, and community impact.
Celebrating Community, Storytelling, and Black Parent Engagement
Community members, researchers, and families gathered in downtown Champaign to celebrate the completion of Dr. Aixa Marchand’s CSBS Small Grant project. Through photography, storytelling, and dialogue, the exhibition highlighted the lived experiences of Black families navigating public education while creating space for reflection, connection, and community conversation.
CSBS Affiliate Spotlight: Meet Nidia Ruedas-Garcia
Meet Nidia Ruedas-Gracia, whose work explores how a sense of belonging shapes students’ academic success, mental health, and physical well-being. Her research sheds light on how educational environments can better support equity and student well-being. These Affiliate Spotlights, randomly selected from our assistant and associate professor affiliates, showcase the research, inspirations, and interdisciplinary connections across our community.
Building a Digital Ecosystem to Support Survivors and Reduce Gender-Based Violence
What if support for survivors of gender-based violence was built directly into the apps students use every day? Learn about a multi-year, interdisciplinary initiative led by Dr. Rachel Garthe that is embedding survivor-centered resources into the Illinois app to improve access to care and reduce barriers to help seeking.
From Research to Real-World Impact: Creating Community-Centered Paths for Sharing Knowledge
How do you ensure your research doesn’t collect dust? A recent CERS workshop challenged traditional academic research dissemination practices and offered practical tools for sharing research with communities, partners, and decision-makers. Discover key takeaways and why planning for impact early matters.
Bridging Research and Policy: PRLF in Action at the State Capitol
A PRLF graduate student steps inside the State Capitol—gaining firsthand insight into policymaking, advocacy, and the role of research in shaping real-world decisions. The experience highlights how programs like PRLF connect academic work to issues that impact communities across Illinois.
Emerging Investigators Lunch Series: Strategies for Sustaining & Evolving Research
How do researchers sustain momentum when funding is limited—and how do they know when it’s time to pivot their work? Early-career faculty and experienced scholars gathered for candid conversations about building adaptable, collaborative research programs in today’s evolving funding landscape.