Across the three lead institutions, CILS researchers have adopted a common framework for investigating the nature of informal learning, learning in informal science institutions, and the connections between K-12 and informal science institutions. CILS is currently sponsoring 22 studies, through graduate work, postdoctoral research, and commissions. See attached CILS Research Roundtables, CILS Research Portfolio and CILS Research Framework for further details.

Teleseminars, connecting researchers at UC Santa Cruz, the Exploratorium, and King's College London, are designed to foster shared readings and conversations about research methodologies, findings, and questions.

A series of conferences, including the annual Bay Area Institute, postdoctoral symposia, and others, are further mechanisms to develop a common framework and to share approaches, ideas, tools, and findings both within the Center (across institutions) and with colleagues in the academic and practitioner fields.