Science Engagement: A Critical Factor for Public Involvement in Scientific Endeavors

Study Highlights Importance of Communication in Citizen Science Practices in Spain

Researchers from Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona, Spain, have published a study on citizen science practices in the country in the Journal of Science Communication (JCOM). The study, led by Carolina Llorente, Gema Revuelta, and Mar Carrió, was supported by the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT) and the Ministry of Science and Innovation.

The study analyzed 16 interviews with coordinators of science activities in which citizens participate. It found that communication is a key tool for successful citizen science practice, and that the level of participant contribution and the reproducibility of the activity are key elements that need to be integrated in the practice of citizen science.

The study also emphasizes the need for training participants and facilitators in specific skills based on the level of citizen participation. It underlines the importance of training for assessing citizen science initiatives and the creation of multi-disciplinary teams with a broad range of knowledge areas.

The results indicate a largely strategic participation of groups of people with specific traits, such as neighbors, patients, public administration staff, etc. The study also highlights captive audiences, those who participate in activities without having volunteered, such as school students.

The study, published in June 2021, provides a starting point for proposing improvement strategies to incentivize citizen science research. The DOI for the study is 10.22323/2.20040205.

However, the organization that funded the study assessing citizen science practice in Spain is not explicitly mentioned in the provided search results.

The findings of this study could have significant implications for the future of citizen science in Spain, as well as other countries, by providing insights into best practices for successful citizen science initiatives.

Science Engagement: A Critical Factor for Public Involvement in Scientific Endeavors