If you need support or to interact with peers, this is the largest directory of Engineering, Research and Science Live Communities.
OpenIDEO
Technologies | Forums | English | Register | Free
- Human-Centered Design, Social Innovation, Collaborative Problem Solving, Design Thinking Challenges, Prototyping Solutions
An open innovation platform by IDEO, where a global community collaborates on design challenges to solve social and environmental problems.
- 200000
- Platform for participating in real-world design challenges with a social impact focus.
- Challenge-based; not a continuous forum for general engineering or product design questions.
- Best for: Designers
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation Community
Environment | Forums | English | Register | Freemium
- Circular Economy Principles, Systemic Design, Business Model Innovation (Circular), Policy for Circularity, Education for Circular Economy
Online community platform for the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, a leading organization promoting the circular economy.
- 80000
- Access to a global network and resources from a leader in circular economy thinking.
- Focus is on broader adoption and understanding of circular economy
- Best for: not specific engineering Q&A, but source for circular economy principles
Cradle to Cradle Community
Environment | Forums | English | Public | Other
- Cradle to Cradle Certification, Material Health, Product Circularity, Sustainable Manufacturing, Design for Disassembly
Community page related to MBDC, a firm co-founded by William McDonough, focusing on Cradle to Cradle design and certification.
- 5000
- Information and resources about Cradle to Cradle design principles and certification.
- Not an open discussion forum; more of a resource hub and contact point for C2C expertise.
- Best for: Designers
Circular Economy Club
Environment | Forums | English | Register | Freemium
- Circular Business Models, Product Life Cycle Extension, Waste Valorization, Resource Efficiency, Sustainable Materials
A network of professionals and organizations working on circular economy principles, with local club chapters and online groups.
- 100000
- Global network for circular economy practitioners, with local and topic-based groups.
- Active discussions are often within specific CEC groups or local chapters
- Best for: professionals and organizations related to circular economy
Biomimicry Institute – AskNature
Science | Forums | English | Register | Free
- Biomimetic Design, Nature-Inspired Innovation, Sustainable Solutions, Biological Strategies, Ecological Design
A resource featuring biological strategies and inspirations for design challenges. Community aspects through solution contributions and comments.
- 30000
- Unique platform for finding nature-based solutions to design problems.
- More a curated database with commenting than a traditional discussion forum for engineering problems.
- Best for: Designers
Sustainable Design Forum
Environment | Forums | English | Public | Other
- Sustainable Architecture, Net Zero Buildings, Embodied Carbon, Circular Economy in Construction, Passive Design Strategies
This URL points to a RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) knowledge page, not a direct, open forum for broad sustainable design discussion.
- N/A
- Information hub from a leading architectural institute on sustainable design.
- Not an interactive forum for general public discussion; more of a curated resource page.
- Best for: Architects and built environment professionals seeking RIBA's resources on sustainable design.
Ergonomics Society (UK – CIEHF) Forum
Ergonomics & UX | Forums | English | Register | Free
- Workplace Ergonomics, Human-Computer Interaction, Product Usability, Health & Safety Ergonomics, Cognitive Ergonomics
Public forum of the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics & Human Factors (UK), for discussions on ergonomics, human factors, and user-centred design.
- 5000
- Access to discussions on ergonomics and human factors from a UK professional body.
- Forum activity can be moderate; CIEHF membership provides deeper engagement.
- Best for: Ergonomists
SAVE International Community (Value Engineering)
Technologies | Forums | English | Apply to Join | Paid
- Value Engineering Case Studies, Function Analysis System Technique (FAST), Value Job Plan, Cost Optimization, Innovation through VE
Member community for SAVE International, focusing on value engineering, methodology, and applications.
- 3000
- Dedicated community for professionals specializing in value engineering.
- Access is primarily for SAVE International members.
- Best for: Members of SAVE International
Value Engineering & Management Digest
Technologies | Forums | English | Apply to Join | Paid
- Value Methodology, Function Analysis, Cost Reduction, Value Enhancement, Life Cycle Costing
Resources page for SAVE International, the society for value engineering. Direct forum link not prominent, likely member-based.
- 3000
- Professional society for value engineering, offering certification and resources.
- Active discussion forums are likely within member-only sections of SAVE International.
- Best for: SAVE International members
Lean Enterprise Institute Community
Manufacturing | Forums | English | Register | Freemium
- Lean Transformation, Value Stream Mapping, Kaizen & Continuous Improvement, Lean Leadership, A3 Thinking
Community resources from the Lean Enterprise Institute, promoting Lean thinking principles and practices across various industries.
- 60000
- Access to resources and discussions from a leading organization in Lean thinking.
- Focus is (just) on Lean principles
- Best for: Lean current practitioners
Scrum.org Forum
Software | Forums | English | Register | Free
- Scrum Framework, Product Owner Role, Scrum Master Role, Development Team Practices, Agile & Scrum Certifications
Official forums for Scrum.org, providing discussions and support for Scrum framework practitioners and those seeking certification.
- 150000
- Authoritative source for Scrum framework questions and discussions, tied to certifications.
- Very specific to the Scrum framework as defined by Scrum.org.
- Best for: Scrum Masters
Agile Alliance Community
Software | Forums | English | Register | Freemium
- Agile Methodologies (Scrum Kanban XP), Agile Coaching & Transformation, Lean Software Development, DevOps, Product Ownership
Discussion groups and community initiatives from Agile Alliance, promoting Agile software development principles and practices.
- 80000
- Resource for Agile practitioners with access to experts and community events.
- Primarily focused on software development; less applicable to hardware or physical product engineering directly.
- Best for: Agile coaches
* members quantities are estimated
