What are Research Pods?
Self-organizing scientific communities
Research Pods are autonomous teams of 3-8 researchers, makers, and community members united by shared scientific challenges.
How Pods Work
- 🎯 Self-Governing — Set their own priorities based on community needs
- 🤝 Resource Sharing — Access shared labs, equipment, and knowledge
- 🔄 Cross-Pollination — Regular collaboration between pods
- 🌍 Community Impact — Research directly serves local communities
- ⚡ Rapid Response — Small teams adapt quickly to new challenges
Active Research Pods
Join an existing pod or start your own
Ocean Health Pod
Monitoring marine ecosystems through community-collected environmental DNA sampling.
Air Quality Pod
Building distributed sensor networks to track and improve urban air quality.
Bioacoustics Pod
Translating biological data into music and sound for accessibility and art.
Community Economics Pod
Designing new economic models for science funding and resource allocation.
Open Hardware Pod
Developing accessible scientific instruments and lab equipment.
Data Commons Pod
Building infrastructure for open, ethical scientific data sharing.
Ready to Join the Movement?
Whether you're an experienced researcher or simply curious about science, there's a place for you in the pod ecosystem.
🔍 Join an Existing Pod
Getting started is simple:
- Explore active pods above
- Connect via Discord
- Contribute to ongoing projects
- Grow your expertise
No PhD required! We value curiosity and commitment above credentials.
🚀 Start a New Pod
Launch your own research team:
- Identify community need
- Gather 3-5 founding members
- Plan your first project
- Launch with SwS support
Have an idea that serves your community? We'll help you make it happen.
💪 What We Provide
Full support ecosystem:
• Shared labs & equipment
• Expert mentorship
• Grant opportunities
• Global network access
• Research tools & platforms
Every pod gets the resources they need to succeed.