Accelerating Collaborative Team Science (ACTS) is a Team Science educational program based at the Renaissance Computing Institute (RENCI) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
ACTS functions as a connector, bridging the gap between researchers, coordinating centers, and other parties involved in practicing and promoting collaborative team science theory and practical applications across the scientific research landscape.
With twenty years of experience coordinating team science efforts, RENCI provides a unique vantage point for those seeking to understand the role of the coordinating center and the challenges specific to large, geographically dispersed scientific teams.
ACTS is not affiliated with the grantmaking ACTeR Pilot Grant, a program of NC TraCS.
Upcoming Events
ACTS Webinar Series
We host a monthly webinar series designed to explore the different paths and people that use Team Science principles to move their work forward. This is about asking questions, embracing differences, leveraging strengths, learning how to advance the field of Team Science and make it better together.
ACTS Webinar: Building Bridges: Strengthening the Relationship Between Science Research and the Public
Thursday, March 20 | 12:00pm – 1:00pm ET
Science can transform lives—but its potential impact depends on public confidence and engagement in research. In an era of rapid technological advancements and shifting societal interests, how can research teams work together to make science more accessible, transparent, and trusted? This dynamic webinar explores how scientific collaboration can foster credibility, enhance communication, and build meaningful connections beyond traditional academic circles.Join the RENCI ACTS team for a discussion on how research teams can actively engage local communities, spark enthusiasm for scientific discovery, and inspire confidence in research outcomes. Whether you’re a researcher, science communicator, or policymaker, this discussion will provide insights on how teamwork and public engagement shape the future of the relationship between science and the public.
- Cassandra R. Davis, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Public Policy; Center for Resilient Communities and the Environment, Institute for the Environment, UNC Chapel Hill
- Layla Dowdy, Director of Communications, OVCR; former communications strategist at the Kennedy Space Center and the Space Technology Mission Directorate, NASA
- Brian Blanton, Ph.D., Director of Earth Data Sciences at RENCI, UNC Chapel Hill
- Julie Horvath, Ph.D., Senior Research Scientist, RENCI, UNC Chapel Hill – Citizen Science expert
- Moderator, Brandy Farlow, Grants and Documentation Specialist, RENCI
Previous Events
- April 11, 2024 | ACTS: Team Science and the Academic Research Enterprise
- May 9, 2024 | ACTS: Introduction to Understanding and Assessing Teamwork Processes
- June 13, 2024 | ACTS: Leadership Considerations in Collaborative Team Science
- September 19, 2024 | ACTS: The Role of AI as a Team Member in Scientific Research
- October 17, 2024 | ACTS: From Competition to Collaboration: Fostering a Data Sharing Culture for Collaborative Team Science: Insights from the NIH HEAL Data Ecosystem
- October 24, 2024 | UNC Research Week | ACTS Presents: Successful Collaborative Writing in Team Science
- November 21, 2024 | ACTS: Team Science in Sync: The Experts Explain It All
- February 20, 2025 | ACTS: The Cost of Large Teams in Innovation
Click below to view summaries and recordings of previous webinar events.
