Community Engagement

Science in Community

For Dr. Flemming, public scholarship is not simply about communicating science—it is about creating opportunities for people to engage with it as participants, collaborators, and contributors.

Through museum exhibits, BioBlitzes, community conversations, educational resources, and storytelling, her work connects science with people's lived experiences and recognizes communities not only as audiences, but as knowledge holders and partners in discovery.

By creating spaces where science and community meet, she seeks to foster curiosity, strengthen relationships with the natural world, and broaden participation in scientific inquiry.

Community Science in Action

Since 2018, Dr. Flemming has designed and facilitated BioBlitzes and community science experiences across museums, classrooms, conferences, nonprofit organizations, and local communities. Using tools such as iNaturalist, these experiences invite participants of different ages and levels of expertise to observe and document biodiversity, ask questions, and contribute to scientific knowledge.

For Dr. Flemming, BioBlitzes are as much about connection as documentation—creating opportunities for people to build relationships with the natural world and with one another while recognizing that their curiosity and observations have value.

Dr. Adania Flemming and a fellow graduate student documenting biodiversity observations on their phones during a BioBlitz at Morningside Nature Center, alongside a former graduate student working at the preserve.

Selected Highlights

Black In Natural History Museums Exhibit

As founder of BlackInNHMs, Dr. Flemming led the development of a traveling exhibit highlighting the contributions, experiences, and stories of Black professionals working in natural history museums. Originally hosted by the Florida Museum of Natural History, the exhibit has since traveled nationally, creating opportunities for reflection and conversation around representation, belonging, and visibility in natural history museums. Learn more.

Community Conversations

Through BlackInNHMs and other collaborative initiatives, Dr. Flemming has organized and facilitated conversations bringing scientists, educators, museum professionals, students, and community members together around STEM pathways, leadership, belonging, identity, and public engagement. These conversations create opportunities for reflection, knowledge-sharing, and relationship-building across disciplines and career stages. Learn more.

Museum Programming & Educational Resources

Across museums, universities, and nonprofit organizations, Dr. Flemming has developed exhibits, educational resources, and hands-on experiences that connect people with biodiversity, natural history collections, and scientific inquiry. Her work includes adaptable resources and programs designed to make scientific knowledge more accessible and invite people into active exploration and discovery.

Selected Features