Research Network Membership connects you to one of Common Ground’s scholar-led communities and provides access to benefits across conferences, publishing, CGScholar, and online programs.
Membership may be included with eligible conference registration or purchased separately through CGScholar. It supports the shared infrastructure of Common Ground Research Networks, including conferences, journals, books, Knowledge Communities, publishing systems, archives, and online programs.
Membership is both a practical benefit and a way of sustaining independent scholarly communities. Members help keep Research Networks active over time by participating in conferences, contributing to Knowledge Communities, engaging with publications, and supporting the ongoing exchange of ideas.
Research Network Membership is annual and runs for 12 months from the date of purchase or activation.
By default, membership is set to auto-renew. This helps maintain uninterrupted access to member benefits, including the Knowledge Community feed, journal access, CGScholar Points eligibility, and conference-related benefits.
Members can review and manage membership status, renewal settings, and related account information in their CGScholar profile.
1. Sign in to CGScholar.
2. Select your profile image or account icon in the top-right corner.
3. Choose Memberships from the profile menu.
4. Review your active membership, renewal status, and available options.
Members receive CGScholar Points as part of their membership benefits. Points may be applied toward eligible publishing activities in CGScholar.
CGScholar Points expire 24 months after they are issued. Points may be extended through qualifying activity, including a new membership purchase or eligible conference registration.
Because CGScholar Points are used across membership and publishing activities, please see the full CGScholar Points Guide for details on how points are issued, used, expire, and may be extended.
Eligible conference presenter registration may include Research Network Membership. This allows presenters to participate in the Research Network beyond the conference itself, including access to membership benefits and the relevant CGScholar Knowledge Community.
Some registration types may not include full membership benefits. Check the registration details for the specific conference or contact support if you are unsure which benefits are included.
To access your member benefits, sign in to CGScholar using the account connected to your membership or conference registration.
Once signed in, you can access eligible member benefits through CGScholar, including your Knowledge Community, member-only feed, saved items, posting tools, membership information, and other membership-related resources.
You can find the Knowledge Community in the top navigation bar by selecting Community. You can manage your membership by opening your profile menu in the top-right corner and selecting Memberships.
Research Network Membership connects you to a Common Ground Research Network and gives you access to member benefits across conferences, publishing, CGScholar, Knowledge Communities, and online programs.
You can become a member through eligible conference registration or by purchasing annual Research Network Membership separately through CGScholar.
Eligible conference presenter registration may include Research Network Membership. Check the registration details for the specific conference to confirm what is included.
Yes. You can purchase annual Research Network Membership separately without registering for a conference.
Standard annual Research Network Membership is $300 USD.
Membership lasts for 12 months from the date of purchase or activation.
Membership may include access to the CGScholar Knowledge Community feed, conference registration discounts, CGScholar Points, digital journal access, publishing-related benefits, selected online programs, and member-only community participation.
The CGScholar Knowledge Community is the member space for Research Network participation. Members can view the feed, share posts, comment, follow updates, and access network activity in one place.
View the CGScholar Knowledge Community Guide
CGScholar Points are member credits that may be applied toward eligible publishing activities in CGScholar.
CGScholar Points expire 24 months after they are issued.
Yes. Points may be extended through qualifying activity, including a new membership purchase or eligible conference registration.
A new membership purchase or renewal may extend eligible CGScholar Points.
Eligible conference registration may extend active CGScholar Points.
Sign in to CGScholar using the account connected to your membership or conference registration. From there, you can access your Knowledge Community, member feed, posting tools, saved items, and other membership-related resources.
You may need to sign in with the correct CGScholar account. If you still cannot access your benefits, contact support.
Membership fees are non-refundable once activated or connected to member benefits.
No. You may purchase Research Network Membership separately and participate in the network without presenting at a conference.
Membership helps sustain Common Ground’s scholar-led Research Networks, including conferences, journals, books, CGScholar Knowledge Communities, publishing systems, online programs, archives, and member services.