Credits
This MOOC was developed as part of the European University Alliance EPICUR (https://epicur.edu.eu/) by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), the University of Haute-Alsace (UHA), and the University of Strasbourg (Unistra).
For inquiries, please reach out to opus@unistra.fr, epicur@uha.fr, or dana.mahr@kit.edu.
Dear participants,
This module aims to provide you with a basic understanding of Citizen Science’s conceptual framework : CS Definitions, The different levels of public engagement, Different aims and methodologies
Before moving on to the next chapter, please grab your notebook and take a moment to answer this question:
“In what ways do you think Citizen Science challenges traditional scientific authority?”
Welcome to the Citizen Science course.
Before beginning the lessons, you are invited to complete a short quiz to determine your initial level of understanding. This is a non-graded self-assessment intended to help you situate your current knowledge of the subject.
⏱️ Duration : 5 minutes
The module opens in a new window.
📄 Description : this introductory capsule invites you to examine the historical and conceptual foundations of Citizen Science.
🎯 Learning objectives
Understand the evolution of the definition of "Citizen Science" from the 1990s to present day.
Analyze the power dynamics between institutional science and lay expertise.
Grasp the diversity of practices, ranging from local community engagement to global digital platforms.
⏱️ Duration : 50 minutes
📄 Description : This capsule bridges the gap between theory and practice, introducing key frameworks like Post-Normal Science and Extreme Citizen Science. It details the levels of participation and how digital tools have transformed the nature of engagement.
🎯 Objectives
Understand theoretical frameworks such as Post-Normal Science and Extreme Citizen Science.
Identify the different levels and modes of participation in the research process.
Link theoretical framings to practical transitions in engagement.
⏱️ Duration : 50 minutes
📄 Description :
This podcast presents the main principles of citizen science, its different forms, and the scientific and societal motivations for involving citizens in research.
⏱️ Duration : 23 minutes
Dear participants,
Public engagement is a key element of Citizen science.
This module aims to provide you with an understanding of the challenges, motivations and frustrations, and the key incentives and various ways to get involved, to be taken into consideration when citizens take part in a research project.
This module is thought to be a space where experiences are shared.
Before moving on to the next chapter, please grab your notebook and take a moment to answer this question: "What motivates people to take part in Citizen Science, and how can researchers support that motivation?"
📄 Description : this session challenges the "one-size-fits-all" definition of Citizen Science. Dr. Julie Sascia Mewes introduces the "Modes of Knowing" framework to analyze how different actors, from activists to institutions, shape knowledge production.
🎯 Objectives
Distinguish between social movement-based, scientific authority-driven, and communication-driven Citizen Science.
Identify potential tensions and exclusiveness between these different modes.
Reflect on the role of communication and funding in shaping participatory research projects.
⏱️ Duration : 30 minutes
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📄 Description : In this session, we shift our focus from the theoretical frameworks of Citizen Science to the institutional and societal realities of its implementation. We will examine the perspective of a major scientific institution, analyzing how Open Science acts as a driver for participation. This session addresses the often-overlooked dynamics of power and gender within the field, questioning why certain demographics are more prevalent in participatory research and how scientific authority is negotiated.
🎯 Objectives
Understand the strategic role of Citizen Science within large research institutions like Natural History Museums.
Identify the specific challenges scientists face regarding time allocation, funding, and career recognition.
Analyze the gender dynamics and power structures inherent in Citizen Science communities.
Comprehend the link between Citizen Science, Open Science, and international policy frameworks like UNESCO.
⏱️ Duration : 40 minutes
📄 Description : citizen science does not happen in a vacuum; it often interacts with complex societal and political issues. In this module, we examine the "Sismo-Citoyen" project, a unique initiative deployed amidst a heated controversy over deep geothermal energy in France. Discover how researchers navigate tensions, engage with local communities, and maintain scientific neutrality in a polarized environment.
🎯 Learning objectives :
Understand the challenges of implementing citizen science in a politically sensitive context.
Identify the diverse motivations of volunteers beyond simple data collection.
Analyze the role of mediating objects (sensors) in the relationship between science and society.
Duration: ⏱️ 35 minutes
📝 Description : In this intervention, Clara Chavanon, in charge of supporting participatory research projects at the OPUS center (University of Strasbourg), offers a reflection on participatory research viewed through the prism of the intermediation profession. Far from being merely logistical management, intermediation is presented as a work of translation and relationship-building designed to bridge the gaps (language, rhythm, power) between researchers and citizens.
Format : Podcast
Duration : ⏱️ 35 minutes
📄 Description : Defining Citizen Science is complex. This module examines the epistemic boundaries of the field and applies the European "White Paper" framework to categorize diverse forms of participation.
🎯 Objectives
Delineate the boundaries between Citizen Science, Open Science, and Science Communication.
Analyze the 7 forms of engagement defined in the "White Paper on Citizen Science".
Classify research projects according to their level of participant involvement.
⏱️ Duration : 40 minutes
📄 Description : Moving from theory to practice, this module tackles the operational reality of Citizen Science. It focuses on two major pillars: how to effectively communicate with non-scientists and how to overcome common project challenges such as data quality skepticism and resource management.
🎯The main objective is to understand that communication is not just an optional extra, but a central and often underestimated component of Citizen Science projects.
⏱️ Duration : 35 min.
📝 Description : This session examines the concrete conditions required to ensure epistemic equality and manage power asymmetries within sensitive research environments.
Format : Podcast
Duration : ⏱️ 38 minutes
📄 Description : This unit examines the psychological determinants of citizen engagement in science. It analyses how project objectives can be aligned with the heterogeneous motivations of contributors in both face-to-face and digital environments.
🎯 Objective : Identify the four main types of motivation among citizen scientists and adapt community management strategies to maintain engagement over time.
⏱️ Duration : 40 minutes
📝 Description : We are now moving from theory to the reality of the field. In these three short videos, researchers and project managers from the EPICUR network share their direct experiences. They speak openly about the human, logistical, and ethical challenges of running Citizen Science projects.
Format : Vidéo
Duration : ⏱️ 10 minutes
📄 Description :
This podcast addresses public engagement in citizen science by examining citizen motivation, communication practices, feedback, and factors that support sustained participation.
⏱️ Duration : 25 minutes
This final quiz assesses your understanding of the key concepts of Citizen Science and the principles of project design addressed throughout the MOOC.
The quiz consists of 12 multiple-choice questions.
You are allowed up to three attempts. A minimum score of 80% correct answers is required to successfully pass the course and obtain the certificate.
You may now begin the quiz.
The Quiz opens in a new window.
