Join the FediScience Association - Building a better Science Communication Community Together
Are you passionate about open science, reproducible research, and a more collaborative, equitable science communication landscape? Do you believe that science should be accessible to everyone, not just those within traditional institutions?
FediScience e.V. is an association dedicated to building a decentralized, community-owned communication infrastructure for researchers on the Fediverse. We are fostering a space where researchers, students, and other science enthusiasts can connect, share knowledge, and critique work openly – all without being locked into proprietary platforms
Here's why you should join us:
- Be part of a community: Help shape the future of scientific communication and collaboration. We’re not just talking about open science. As a member of the association you have a say in what we do.
- Build a Better Space for Science on the Fediverse: FediScience e.V. is a community-run association dedicated to fostering open scientific communication. As a member, you help us build, moderate, and sustain this infrastructure.
- Contribute your skills: We have dedicated teams handling vetting and moderation. Membership does not require any time commitment, though we welcome contributions if you're interested!
Your membership directly supports the maintenance of our FediScience infrastructure, community events, and advocacy efforts. Currently, we operate solely on donations and a symbolic membership fee of 0€ per year.
What is a "Verein" and Why Did FediScience Choose This Structure?
You may have noticed we're called "FediScience e.V." The "e.V." stands for "eingetragener Verein," which translates to "registered association." But what is a Verein, and why did we choose this legal structure?
A "Verein" is a common form of non-profit organization in Germany, similar to a non-profit association or society in other countries. It’s a way for a group of people to come together to pursue a common, non-commercial purpose – in our case, promoting science communication and building a Fediverse infrastructure for researchers.
We chose to incorporate as an association for several important reasons:
- Legal Recognition: Being a registered "Verein" gives FediScience a legal identity, separate from its individual members to ensure long term sustainability.
- Insurance Coverage: A "Verein" allows us to obtain necessary insurance policies (e.g. liability insurance) to protect the organization and its members.
- Credibility & Trust: Registration demonstrates a commitment to transparency and accountability, building trust with the wider scientific community and potential partners.
- Charitable status: FediScience has achieved charitable status (which an association does not automatically obtain), allowing us to issue donation receipts, apply for funds for charitable organisations and have a lower tax burden.
Essentially, forming a "Verein" was a crucial step in ensuring the long-term sustainability and responsible operation of FediScience e.V. It allows us to build a robust, secure, and legally sound foundation for our mission.