The NJIT-Sigma Xi Research café provides a venue where engineers and scientists of different disciplines can discuss issues and topics of common interest, in an informal and relaxed atmosphere. The topics may not be purely technical but are geared to communicate ideas to a broad spectrum of listeners. Research café meetings are open not only to faculty and students but also to interested people in nearby industry, medical centers and laboratories. Surely, the research café concept fits well into Sigma Xi's motto: "Companions in Zealous Research". It falls into the general concept of Science Cafés, promoted by Sigma Xi in collaboration with WPBS NOVA Science Now (http://www.sciencecafes.org/) and has been successful at several other Sigma Xi chapters (see

https://www.sigmaxi.org/programs/science-cafes.shtml).

At NJIT, the Research Café was inaugurated during the 2009-2010 academic year, with six  successful meetings, involving biomedical engineering, health care, management and humanities.  It is hoped that these cafés will provide a shared experience, which is truly what is meant by community.

Research Café meetings were not held since 2011 but hopefully the program will resume in the future.