Citizen science for health
Health is relatively under-represented in citizen science, despite the fact that it is a very diverse and promising domain. Projects and approaches may range from applications in the domain of public health, to personal science approaches associated with the Quantified Self movement, and every shade in between. At the same time, the engagement of patients in health research has a long tradition, even though their impact on e.g. decision making on research questions, methodology, ethics, analysis and data management remain limited so far. Citizen Science has a huge potential contribute to innovative health research, as well as to society.
This Working Group believes that to unlock this potential there is a need to collaborate more intensely across borders and domains. The purpose of the Working Group is hence to increase the social and scientific impact of citizen science for health. Its main objectives are:
- To create a community of stakeholders dedicated to promoting and developing Citizen Science for health by fostering dialogue and collaboration them
- To develop and disseminate tools, methods, ethical frameworks and training material for CS4H
- To enhance the visibility and potential of CS projects in the health domain
Chairs
Hanze University of Applied Sciences
University of Twente
RIVM
Radboud Reshape
Working group
members
- Alexandra Albert
- Ann Borda
- Bastian Greshake Tzovaras
- Chiara Cardelli
- Federica Righi
- Hai-Ying Liu
- Ilaria Leggeri
- Isabelle Bonhoure
- Joana Magalhães
- Kris Bevelander
- Margaret Gold
- Maria Rosa Mondardini
- Mic Starbuck
- Silvia Woll
Activity plan
The process principles of this working group are grounded in the dynamics of a community of practice:
(1) Those who wish to bring an issue further, convene and prepare a session through the working group.
(2) The working group management establishes a simple rhythm of online meetings.
(3) The working group will operate a newsflash to update members on activities and news.
(4) The working group will establish a core team to lead it, which will include at least one researcher and one citizen.
It is likely that activities will include subgroups working on:
– shared values
– (open) data and data sharing
– ethics
– extending the survey that was initiated at the ECSA 2020 conference.
Please also see our report on the ECSA 2020 session on citizen science and health.
Past achievements
This is a new ECSA working group, formed in 2020.
How to get involved
To join this working group, please contact the chair by email, outlining your experience and which activities you are interested in.
