Citizen Science: Introduction

Citizen science can be described as the voluntary participation of non-professional scientists in research and innovation at different stages of the process and at different levels of engagement, from shaping research agendas and policies, to gathering, processing and analysing data, and assessing the outcomes of research. (European Commission, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, 2020)

Citizen Science encompasses a wide variety of activities and practices that recognises non-professionals as valued and empowered actors in advancing knowledge, research and innovation. (UCD’s publication Engage your Research : An Introductory Guide to Engaging & Involving the Public in Research)

Citizen science broadly refers to the active engagement of the general public in scientific research tasks. Citizen science is a growing practice in which scientists and citizens collaborate to produce new knowledge for science and society. (The Science of Citizen Science)

Citizen science projects actively involve citizens in scientific endeavour that generates new knowledge or understanding. Citizens may act as contributors, collaborators, or as project leader and have a meaningful role in the project. ECSA (European Citizen Science Association). 2015. Ten Principles of Citizen Science. Berlin.

Citizen science is a global movement where individuals, family members, friends, community groups, or anyone does science to address real-world questions. (SciStarter)

REGISTER HERE

The European Citizen Science Platform

Thursday 5th June 2025

11:30 - 12:30 pm in The UCD Global Lounge, Belfield, UCD (with tea / biscuits / juice / pastries, biscuits included)  and Online via Zoom

The UCD Citizen Science Community of Practice is delighted to welcome Dr. Joseph Roche from Trinity College Dublin who will present about the EU-Citizen.Science (ECS) platform. Whether you're leading a project or simply curious about integrating citizen science into your academic practice, this talk will offer insights into leveraging the platform for discovery, connection, and impact.

The European Citizen Science platform provides a structured database of citizen science projects spanning a wide range of disciplines—from environmental monitoring to health, biodiversity, cultural and social issues. Users can look for projects that align with their field of study or area of geographic interest. For university staff, researchers and postdocs interested in co-creation, open science, or Horizon Europe funding, this is a resource that supports both scholarly impact and public engagement.

Registered users can upload their projects, contribute to discussions, and connect directly with practitioners, educators, and fellow researchers across Europe. If you're seeking potential collaborations, looking to expand your project’s visibility, or exploring avenues for public engagement and science communication, the ECS platform helps foster academic partnerships and interdisciplinary exchange.

This is a UCD Citizen Science Community of Practice Event

 Joseph Roche is a Professor in Education and Associate Dean of Research at Trinity College Dublin. He co-leads the Science & Society Research Group which coordinates international research projects on science communication, informal learning, citizen science, public engagement, and higher education science. He was the Principal Investigator of GlobalSCAPE — a European Commission funded research project exploring the global state of science communication. Joseph has worked at NASA, was a Visiting Scholar at Harvard, and is an Honorary Research Associate at University College London. He is a Fellow of Trinity College Dublin and is the author of the textbook “Essential Skills for Early Career Researchers.”.

UCD’s publication Engage your Research : An Introductory Guide to Engaging & Involving the Public in Research states:

“Citizen Science encompasses a wide variety of activities and practices that recognises non-professionals as valued and empowered actors in advancing knowledge, research and innovation.”

Citizen Science, or the participation of the general public in the scientific research process, is an important element in establishing new links between science and society. It is thus essential to implementing Open Science, can contribute to innovation tailored to the needs of society, lead to reciprocal learning and foster a scientific culture across society as a whole.

From: The LIBER Roadmap to Open Science (LIBER is the Association of European Research Libraries)