The Center uses a variety of qualitative and quantitative methods to measure the complex impact of our interdisciplinary collaborations, grant opportunities, and programming.
We use in-depth surveys and narrative reports to assess and contextualize the results of our efforts and identify areas of improvement. We quantify our reach and growth through voluntary data provided by event participants as well as analytics from our website audiences. Some key metrics include:
Community
- Among our faculty committees, 40% of members come from natural and applied science departments, 33% from social sciences, and 26% from humanities
- Over 350 current students are affiliated with the Center
- In 2024-2025, the Center’s website received 90,000 visit from 190 countries and territories
Programming
- Hosted 500+ events, with over 28,000 registered guests
- Developed an innovative minor in Science and Society at Columbia University
Grant Programs
- Awarded $300,000 in funding to 100+ grant projects
- Over 70% of grants were awarded to students (amongst grant opportunities open to students)
However, numbers alone cannot paint a complete picture. Stories from our community members attest to the myriad ways that our activities have created new insights and partnerships. Learn more below.
Celebrating Our Science and Society Graduates
“The minor in Science and Society has been eye-opening for me, introducing me to a wide variety of perspectives, placing scientific systems in historical context, and making me question my assumptions.” - Griffin Fadellin
In 2025, the Center celebrated the first cohort of students graduating with the science and society minor. See the full article to learn more from two members of the inaugural class (Griffin Fadellin and Mohammad Zaidi) and our Director of Undergraduate Studies (Madi Whitman)
Center Publishes Good Practices in Co-Production of Knowledge
Current research structures can exploit communities for their local knowledge to pursue scientific solutions. Co-production of knowledge efforts work to upend these hierarchies and redistribute power and resources in research, resulting in more effective and impactful results.
But the process of “doing” knowledge co-production is far from simple. To help shepherd future efforts, the Center published a set of best practices for co-production in climate research in 2024. See the full article for more information.
Making and Knowing Project's Dyeing and Weaving Residency
In 2024 and 2025, the Center’s Making and Knowing Project was honored to host expert dyers and weavers Bertha Estrada Huipe and her son Mateo Estrada Rodriguez from Michoacán, Mexico.
These artisanal practices were fading before being revitalized by Bertha’s mother-in-law, Cecilia. Bertha built upon this legacy, training her children to preserve this intangible heritage. Bertha and Mateo shared their expertise at Columbia through hands-on learning sessions with students, public events, and demonstrations. Watch a video about their 2024 visit.
Celebrating 10 Years of Presidential Scholars
“[The Presidential Scholars in Society and Neuroscience program] has allowed me the space to radically rethink how I conduct scientific research.” - Andrew Goldman
Founded by former Columbia University President Lee C. Bollinger, the Presidential Scholars in the Society and Neuroscience program advanced exploration of the mind, brain, and behavior. 16 early-career scholars were mentored by a multidisciplinary faculty team as they pursued research at the intersection of neuroscience and the arts, social sciences, and humanities. Learn more about the program’s impact and continued legacy from past Scholars via the full article.
A. Tunç Şen will join Rhiannon Stephens as the Center's Co-Director. Meanwhile, the Center's Founding DIrector Pamela Smith will be on sabbatical leave during the 2026-2027 year.