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: Social Entrepreneurship, Public Engagement, and Education. Within these areas, specific programs 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 understand and enable the innovative application of science and technology for global human benefit. We pursue this mission by linking the practices of scholarship, education, and science and technology innovation, in order to foster conscientious and responsible action on behalf of those most in need.