Science and Society: Open Science and Citizen Science in Aurora

Aurora recognizes the transformative power of science to address societal challenges through openness and collaboration. Through the Aurora 2030 programme, a dedicated task team on  Science and Society focuses on  advancing both Open Science and Citizen Science, two interconnected approaches that together foster a more inclusive, sustainable, and impactful research ecosystem.

A recent survey launched by the task team yielded comprehensive results from 250 respondents across Aurora universities. Representing a broad spectrum of roles within the academic community, the survey results showed that Open Science and Citizen Science initiatives are currently gaining momentum within each institution.

Despite different levels of institutional engagement, the survey highlighted the potential for continuing growth in Open Science and Citizen Science practices. Key development areas include increasing financial and infrastructural support, ensuring formal recognition of contributions, and providing training to overcome technical and time-related barriers.

Addressing the above challenges can help universities to further enhance the role of Open Science and Citizen Science in solving societal problems, fostering innovation, and promoting public engagement with science.

“Overcoming barriers to participation requires a comprehensive approach,” says Roberto Delle Donne, Professor at University Federico II of Naples and lead for the Aurora  Science and Society task team. “Universities must invest in robust training programs, streamline infrastructure for accessibility, and formalize recognition of contributions to Open Science and Citizen Science. Equally important is fostering partnerships between researchers and communities, empowering citizens to co-create knowledge and address shared challenges.”

Open Science and Citizen Science: A Synergistic Relationship

Open Science and Citizen Science are deeply associated with one another. Open Science promotes transparency, accessibility, and collaboration by ensuring that research outputs—data, publications, and methods—are openly shared. Citizen Science complements this by actively involving the public in the research process, from defining problems to collecting data and disseminating results. Together, Open Science and Citizen Science  democratize knowledge creation, breaking down barriers between researchers and society.

Citizen Science thrives in the Open Science ecosystem, which provides the tools, data, and frameworks necessary for effective public participation. Conversely, Citizen Science enriches Open Science by incorporating diverse perspectives, fostering innovation, and addressing real-world problems that resonate with communities. Many of these problems, such as environmental challenges, align with broader goals of sustainable development.

“Sharing scientific knowledge with the general public in creative ways, for instance through Art and Science exhibitions and hands-on demonstrations, creates a strong and lasting sense of awareness and curiosity that can have a major impact on how society responds to the environmental challenges we face,” says Helena Cruz de Carvalho, Associate Professor at Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC) and Institut de Biologie de l’Ecole Normale Supérieure (IBENS). 

Towards a Science for Society

By intertwining Open Science and Citizen Science, Aurora is building a research culture that is green, transparent, inclusive, and ethically conscious. The focus on sustainability is reflected in the methods employed and in the topics that are addressed, such as climate change, resource management, and societal well-being.

To this end, the Aurora Science and Society task team focuses on four key objectives:

• Building Knowledge: Developing a repository of best practices for Open Science and Citizen Science, drawing from diverse disciplines and experiences across  Aurora universities.
• Empowering Researchers and Students: Creating training modules to equip researchers and students with the skills to engage in open, participatory, and FAIR ((Findable – Accessible – Interoperable – Reusable)-aligned research.
• Connecting Communities: Establishing inclusive networks that unite Aurora institutions with local and international communities, fostering collaboration and mutual learning.
• Engaging Citizens: Encouraging public involvement in addressing societal and environmental challenges through workshops, events, and the creation of communities ofpractice.

The goals above catalyse the efforts undertaken by Aurora universities to ensure that science is not only conducted for society, but also with society, creating a shared path toward sustainable development and innovation.