Center for Advancement of Informal Science Education (CAISE) - The Center for Advancement of Informal Science Education (CAISE) is dedicated to advancing and improving the practice of informal science education in its many and varied forms—through film and broadcast media, science centers and museums, zoos and aquariums, botanical gardens and nature centers, digital media and gaming, and youth, community and after-school programs.
American Educational Research Association - The American Educational Research Association (AERA) is concerned with improving the educational process by encouraging scholarly inquiry related to education and evaluation and by promoting the dissemination and practical application of research results. A special interest group (SIG) for Informal Learning Educational Research (ILER) presents VSA-relevant content at the annual conference.
Online Evaluation Resource Library - The purpose of this system is to collect and make available evaluation plans, instruments, and reports for NSF projects that can be used as examples by Principal Investigators, project evaluators, and others outside the NSF community as they design proposals and projects. OERL also includes professional development modules that can be used to better understand and utilize the materials made available.
Smithsonian Center for Learning and Digital Access- The Smithsonian Center for Learning and Digital Access (SCLDA) assists the museum community through research, collaboration, and by encouraging and supporting the creative use of museum resources. The Center strives to deepen and enrich learning, so that educators everywhere cultivate curious, skillful, and engaged digital citizens.
American Evaluation Association - The American Evaluation Association is an international professional association of evaluators devoted to the application and exploration of program evaluation, personnel evaluation, technology, and many other forms of evaluation.
American Alliance of Museums (AAM) - AAM is an organization for professionals in museums and museum related fields. Has an annual conference, provides professional development workshops and has an online bookstore of resources. The Committee of Audience Research (CARE) focuses specifically on VSA-related issues.
Association of Science-Technology Centers - ASTC is an organization of science centers and museums dedicated to furthering the public understanding of science among increasingly diverse audiences. ASTC encourages excellence and innovation in informal science learning by linking its members and advancing their common goals.
British Interactive Group (BIG) - The British Interactive Group (BIG) is a not-for-profit organisation for all people involved in interactive science communication activities and hands-on education projects in the UK.
Visitor Studies Group - The Visitor Studies Group is a national group of museum professionals that gather to promote visitor studies in the UK. The site includes links to papers and events.
Journals that publish Visitor Studies research:
Curator: The Museum Journal
Science Education
Journal of Museum Education
* A listing here does not imply endorsement by VSA.