The Cottrell Scholar Conference helps new and established members of the Cottrell Scholar community become agents of change at their institutions and/or at a national level. The format is highly interactive and aims to engage all participants in authentic dialogue and community building. RCSA hopes the insights and inspiration each Scholar takes from the conference result in solid improvements to STEM instruction at his or her institution.

A central part of the conference is welcoming the new class of Cottrell Scholars from the U.S. and Canada, Fulbright-Cottrell Scholars from Germany, and senior scientists receiving RCSA's Holland Award. Informal discussion time offers participants the chance to network, make new friends, and find ways to support each other in their research, teaching, lives and careers.

The 2024 conference, “Inclusive Science Communication: Making Science 'Make Sense' for Everybody,” was held July 17-19 in Tucson, Arizona. Co-chaired by CS 1999 Karen Bjorkman, University of Toledo, and CS 2016 Scott Shaw, University of Iowa, it featured presentations by 2024 STAR, IMPACT and Holland Award recipients, and updates on Cottrell Scholar Collaborative team projects. Breakout sessions exploring the conference theme sparked ideas leading to proposals for Cottrell Scholar Collaborative projects in areas of national impact. 

Previous CONFERENCEs

2024 Conference Booklet
2023 Conference Booklet
2022 Conference Booklet
2021 Conference Booklet
2020 Conference Booklet
2019 Conference Booklet
2018 Conference Booklet
2017 Conference Booklet
2016 Conference Booklet
2015 Conference Booklet
2014 Conference Booklet