Founded in 1997, the Center for Science, Technology and Society is one of three Centers of Distinction at Santa Clara University. The Center’s interdisciplinary approach contributes to building a community of scholars, providing an integrated education, and serving as an intersection point between the university and society. The Center is governed by a faculty Steering Committee and benefits from the guidance of an external Advisory Board. The Center’s work is focused on three major activity areas: Innovation, Social Entrepreneurship, and Impact Capital. Within these areas, specific educational programs like grants, fellowships, and structured curriculum engage faculty, students, and other internal and external constituencies in fulfilling the mission of the Center.
The mission of the Center for Science, Technology, and Society (CSTS) is to promote the use of science and technology to benefit underserved communities worldwide, primarily by working with socially-minded entrepreneurs. The CSTS implements its mission through its signature program, the Global Social Benefit Incubator, the Frugal Innovation Lab, and its numerous educational and public engagement activities.
Our vertical program themes of entrepreneurship, innovation, and impact capital have inspired programs like the Global Social Benefit Incubator and Frugal Innovation Labs.
It is through this combination of vertical and horizontal themes that we are able to gather experience on a number of different fronts, from field operations and engineering to fundraising and marketing, while still being able to synthesize this information and pass it on to entrepreneurs and students working to impact the lives of millions today.
