Citizen science is by no means new at Radboud University. Across various disciplines, members of the public have long been involved in collecting data, analysing results, and even designing research projects. However, knowledge and expertise in this area were previously scattered across the university. “With this expertise hub, we want to make support more visible and better connected,” explains Carolien de Mol, the university’s first Citizen Science Officer. “That way, we can refer researchers more effectively or provide them with the right information directly.”
Communicating with non-scientists
One of the greatest challenges in citizen science, according to De Mol, is communicating with people who do not have a scientific background. “You have to think carefully about how you communicate with participants – in a way that is understandable, but also honours their involvement,” she says. “It’s important that people feel taken seriously and truly part of the research – not just at the beginning, but throughout the entire process.”
In addition to communication, other important issues come into play, such as ethics, data management, privacy, and ownership rights. “When citizens participate in scientific research, it demands extra care in all these areas,” De Mol explains. “And that’s exactly where I want to support researchers.”
More than just a signpost
De Mol began her role by speaking with as many researchers and support staff as possible. “My aim isn’t just to act as a signpost to experts,” she says. “I’m developing my own expertise so I can answer more and more questions myself in future. I want to keep learning from others – and share that knowledge through the new web pages.”
The expertise hub was established as part of the action points within the citizen science pillar of the Radboud Open Science Programme. “That programme really aims to promote citizen science,” says De Mol. “The expertise hub makes a concrete contribution to that goal by bringing together knowledge, experience, and support.”
Researchers interested in starting a citizen science project – or with questions about it – are encouraged to contact Carolien de Mol via the new citizen science web pages.