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)

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CONUNDRUM Project: Co-creating Sustainable and Shared Community Mobility

Monday 24th February 2025

10:00 - 11:00 am  in Library Link3, James Joyce Library, UCD, Belfield and Online via Zoom 

Researchers Rachel McArdle and Dean Phelan from the UCD School of Geography will present on the CONUNDRUM project which looks at co-creation as a tool for improving planning in small and medium Irish towns to achieve pathways towards more just transitions that reduce transport emissions, meet community needs, and allow for place-based and community-led planning. 

 Hear how they worked in collaboration with the residents,   business and   policymakers in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, to   identify the problems facing   local people in relation to   transportation and mobility. They will share   information about the process they developed   for engagement and decision-making which could be used in   many similar towns across   Ireland. This process resulted in a Community-Led Mobility Strategy for   Enniscorthy,   created through stakeholder engagement and is a resource and tool for the community and   an evidence base that policymakers can use when creating future mobility plans in Enniscorthy, regionally and nationally.

All welcome to attend - this event is open to the general public!

This is a UCD Citizen Science Community of Practice Event

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)