Citizen Science Modular Research Course

The next edition of the Modular Research Course will most probably take place in the spring semester 2024. Follow us on X or subscribe to our Newsletter to stay up to date!

Citizen Science research projects actively involve citizens in participatory research, which makes them face different challenges compared to disciplinary research projects. In order to involve citizens in research processes in a meaningful way, various overarching competencies are required. These competencies are taught through the corresponding modules of this research course. In doing so, we draw on interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research, sustainability research, impact research, and current practical examples.

Citizen Science is a broad field that includes projects from different disciplines. What they have in common: the participation of people who do not necessarily have a professional academic background – broadly referred to as citizens. Rather, the expertise they contribute is based on a different form of experience that is relevant to the research project. Accordingly, these projects are exciting and challenging!

Citizen Science projects are often categorized as "contributory", "collaborative" and "co-created". This means that projects rely on different forms and levels of participation.

[Partizipationsgrad = Level of participation]

In our view, research projects are participatory projects whenever citizens have the low-threshold opportunity to decide whether they want to be involved at a specific stage (or several stages) of the research project. While the initial opportunity to collaborate and contribute is a must for participatory projects, participants jointly determine how collaboration between citizen researchers and academic researchers takes place depending on the project. However, designing an equal research process does not mean that all participants have to perform the same tasks, but rather that everyone can and should use their competencies, knowledge and skills appropriately. The following graphic illustrates possible tasks and work steps where participation may or may not take place:

For more information on participatory research, see our subpage "Participatory Citizen Science"

A participatory research process is exciting but presents its own particularities and challenges. In order to involve citizens in research processes in an appropriate way, various overarching skills are needed. Our new modular research course focuses on these skills. Individual modules introduce different methods and tools and apply them within a context that suits the participants' backgrounds. In doing so, we draw on interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research, sustainability research, impact research and practice, among others.

This course is oriented towards participatory research processes' particularities and central challenges. The individual modules take an in-depth look into the following questions:

• What is Citizen Science? Is what I do called Citizen Science?
• How can I identify the impact of my project, and how can I work towards it in the most effective way possible?
• What do I need to consider when planning my research project?
• How do I find citizens who are willing to participate in my project? And how do I motivate them to stay involved?
• How do I need to facilitate a participatory process?
• How can I bring together different types of knowledge? What is the role of researchers in this endeavour?
• What do I need to consider when planning and implementing my Citizen Science project's evaluation?

In doing so, this course covers the most critical elements prevalent in participatory research and Citizen Science. After attending the mandatory basis module, participants can choose between the advanced modules that are most important to them and their research.

• Attendance of the basis module on one of the two dates is mandatory
• Participants who have attended past Citizen Science introductory and/or advanced courses by the PWA are exempt
• In exceptional cases, advanced modules can also be booked if participants obtained basic knowledge of citizen science in any other reasonable way. Please state this in the registration
• Any number of the advanced modules may be selected, or all of them. In consultation with your institute, 1 ECTS can be awarded for attending four modules (basis module plus three advanved modules)
• Are you unsure whether this course is something for you? Then start with the basis module as an introduction and decide later whether you would like to attend further modules for in-depth study!

Registration closed