🔴 Course description:
This is a free course resource that was developed as a guide for designing your own course on the topics discussed. It includes resources such as detailed session/workshop outlines and PowerPoint slides. It could also be used as a course in itself, though was not specifically set up as such.
The course resources are designed to facilitate the adoption of citizen science (CS) within Research Performing Organisations (RPOs) focusing on four key topic areas:
- Research & Methodology
- Education & Awareness
- Support Infrastructure & Resources
- Policy & Assessment
In addition to these four sections, a Train-the-Trainer section enables you to run your own citizen science-related training courses for institutional staff based on the four key topic areas in this course resource.
The intended audiences for this course resource include training providers for RPOs, but also researchers at all career stages, research support staff and management, students and volunteer managers and facilitators could benefit from relevant modules.
Many others may find particular aspects or modules of this course resource interesting, and we encourage everyone to browse the content and engage with it. Intended audiences for modules within each area are specified on the Welcome and Introduction pages under each area.
By the end of this course, the learner will:
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Understand the fundamentals of CS, how to develop and expand research projects using CS methodologies, understand CS data management, and know how to engage and manage volunteers.
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Understand the importance of CS training and awareness-raising, and develop practical skills in stakeholder analysis, designing training programs, engaging schools and communities, and crafting purposeful communication and engagement strategies tailored to diverse audiences.
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Understand the critical role of institutional support and infrastructures within RPOs, including the role of Institutional Contact Points (CS-ICP), the opportunities for CS funding, and the ethical considerations of CS projects.
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Understand the critical significance of developing strategic approaches and policies for CS within RPOs, investigate broader assessment models to effectively evaluate and reward CS contributions, and establish a connection between CS and Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) principles and processes.
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Be able to conduct CS-related training courses for institutional staff based on the four key topic areas, taking into consideration stakeholders and audiences, training design, and challenges and opportunities for implementing and embedding the training.
💡Access information
This course allows 1) guest access (no registration required) and 2) self-enrollment as a user.
Type of access
Using guest access allows you to see course content freely but does not enable you to save your learning progress or earn a badge. Self-enrollment as a user allows you to see the course content, save your learning progress and earn a badge.
How to access
Guest access: enter the key ‘TIME4CS’ into option “Guest access” below.
Self-enrollment: To self- enroll first create your account on the citizenscience.eu platform - then on the ECS Academy (it is a two step process). Once you have created your account on the ECS Academy you will be able to enroll without a key.