By Claire Woodward We are very grateful for the participating organizations in our Bloomington community, which has grown to 45 organizations as of April 2025. One of our earliest participants was Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County. Habitat for Humanity aims “to expand affordable housing solutions by partnering with people in our community.” Staff and… Read more »
Month: April 2025
What’s it like being a fly on the wall? Experiences observing organizations from our research assistants
By: Claire Woodward What’s it like to be a fly on the wall? Our team of 25 active research assistants have a unique take on what this experience is actually like. Equipped with a tablet, a room thermometer, and a measurement pen, they often take a seat in a back corner or pew to observe the action. … Read more »
Geography of Meeting Spaces
By: Claire Woodward Civil Society Organizations utilize a variety of spaces for their meetings, with the majority using private spaces like churches, cafes, and private residences. But where are all of these places located? In the Bloomington Project of The Observing Civic Engagement Lab, we have identified nearly 100 spaces across the city collected from almost 1000 meetings over… Read more »
Places and Spaces: Where Civic Engagement Happens
By: Claire Woodward One pattern we have explored in the Observing Civic Engagement Lab is examining where convenings are taking place — that is, the kind of spaces various groups use to gather together. When you think of civic engagement, you might think of large events that occur on the streets of your city or town — something… Read more »
What is a Civil Society Organization?
By: Claire Woodward It’s a Wednesday night. You’re headed out to play basketball with some friends. Or maybe you’re headed to a book club. Or a neighborhood association meeting. Regardless, you’re getting together with other people—practicing community. These associations are all a part of what is known as civil society. A quick Google search would define… Read more »