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Harnessing the Power of Citizen Science in Universities

Citizen Science broadly refers to the active involvement of the general public in research, often through data collection, analysis, and interpretation. At its core, it democratises science by empowering individuals and communities to engage directly with scientific inquiry, making knowledge creation more inclusive and accessible. This approach bridges the gap between researchers and the public, fostering a collaborative environment for solving complex, real-world problems.

By addressing societal challenges like air pollution, extreme heat, mental health, and biodiversity loss, Citizen Science ensures that research is not only participatory but also impactful, relevant, and responsive to the needs of communities. It can cultivate a culture of shared responsibility, where science is seen as a collective endeavour that benefits society at large.

This post on Citizen Science is part of a larger series of blogs that representatives of the LERU focus group on Public Engagement are writing to inspire and inform academics, societal partners and citizens who have a keen interest in Public Engagement. Its author, Josep Perelló, is a full Professor at the University of Barcelona and researcher at the University of Barcelona Institute of Complex Systems (UBICS). He also founded the Barcelona Citizen Science Office, a project promoted by the Barcelona City Council. He has recently received the EU Prize for Citizen Science 2024 within the category digital communities award for CoAct for Mental Health.

Dr Josep Perelló

Why Citizen Science Matters in Universities

Universities, with their wealth of scientific knowledge and resources, may see in Citizen Science an opportunity to strengthen their social commitment and increase its social presence in very concrete terms, whether that be across world cities or centred in one neighbourhood alone. This could relate to societal challenges such as extreme heat in public spaces or enhancing walkability within a 15-minute city or community mental health care provision, among other examples. Yet, despite its potential, Citizen Science is not widely integrated into university curricula. It is more common in subjects from biology and environmental sciences but remains an exception rather than the norm.

Expanding Citizen Science beyond existing courses can offer students, researchers, and community members vital skills such as collaboration, communication, and critical thinking. It also meets the growing demand for socially conscious and scientifically literate professionals who can navigate complex societal challenges.

The Need for Training in Citizen Science

One of the main obstacles to adopting Citizen Science in academic research is the lack of recognition for these activities within universities, which can, in turn, be linked to the absence of structured training. Many researchers are unfamiliar with the tools and methodologies needed to engage communities effectively. Universities need dedicated programs to teach Citizen Science research-related skills while emphasising collaboration with non-academic participants.

Recognising this, the Universitat de Barcelona launched a certified training program on Citizen Science (November 2023). This initiative, developed in the context of CHARM universities alliance and the TORCH project, aimed to equip academic researchers and community members with skills to design and manage impactful Citizen Science projects. The effort was also partially supported by the CS NOW Erasmus project and the SENSE EU project. The training was offered in collaboration with the Taula del Tercer Sector Social which federates civil society organisations in Catalonia.

The Citizen Science Training Experience at Universitat de Barcelona

The training programme was offered two formats: a 4-hour introductory session and a more in-depth 10-hour course spread over three consecutive days. Unlike conventional lecture-based courses, this program was highly interactive, featuring roundtable discussions, panel dialogues, and networking opportunities.

A standout feature was the diversity of voices involved. Civil society members and citizen participants played an equal role alongside academic researchers, ensuring a balanced and inclusive discussion. The training highlighted best practices in Citizen Science and strategies for fostering collaboration between academia and local communities. Sessions included first-hand experiences from citizen scientists, showcases of university-led projects, and strategic discussions on public engagement.

Participants in the more in-depth course explored six core dimensions:

1. Co-creation – Engaging communities in shaping research questions and methods.

2. Community Involvement – Building strong, reciprocal relationships with social actors.

3. Tools & Methods – Learning practical approaches to data collection and analysis.

4. Data – Handling, sharing, and publishing collected data responsibly.

5. Ethics & Inclusion – Ensuring diverse voices are represented.

6. Action – Translating research into tangible societal impact.

Each session was moderated by representatives from civil society, ensuring that the conversations remained relevant to community needs. This encouraged active participation, collaborative learning, and reflection on the social impact of Citizen Science.

Key Takeaways and Future Directions

The program received very positive feedback, attracting over 150 registrations for the introductory course, and its the extended version. Attendees had diverse backgrounds. They were already familiar with the concept of Citizen Science but they lacked the practical tools and skills to run effective projects.

The diversity of backgrounds greatly enriched the learning experience. Around half of the attendees were university staff, lecturers, students, or project managers within research organisations. Around 25% of the attendees came from civil society entities, while others represented companies and public administration. Across all groups, there was a strong interest in initiating or participating in Citizen Science projects.

Evaluation of the activity showed a significant increase in participants’ confidence in using Citizen Science to address societal challenges. Participants reported a deeper understanding of how Citizen Science can address societal challenges but also reflected a strong demand for more interactive, hands-on sessions to complement discussions and further support learning.

The training was designed based on discussions with a formally recognised working group of Universitat de Barcelona Citizen Science practitioners, within the context of its lifelong learning institute. This shared space as a community of practice was fundamental and triggered a transdisciplinary perspective to citizen science within the university. This group is still active and hold periodic meetings. Finally, the training also motivated the production of online materials on Citizen Science publicly available in the Universitat de Barcelona webpage in Catalan, Spanish and English. We have solidly introduced Citizen Science with some of these materials in the social innovation module of the CHARM-EU Master’s in Global Challenges for Sustainability.

Future iterations of the training program should prioritize scalability while maintaining interactive elements. A stronger emphasis on practical tools and project execution skills will be essential. Additionally, offering specialised tracks for different stakeholder groups could address specific needs and challenges more effectively. While increasing hands-on sessions would bridge the gap between theory and practice, this approach may limit participant numbers. To manage this, future editions could segment participants, with particular focus on undergraduates and early-career researchers. To further extend reach, we may also explore the development of additional online modules.

Conclusion: Building a Collaborative Future

This training program was the first of its kind in at least the Spanish context, setting a precedent for integrating citizen science into university education and professional development. It underscores the growing recognition of Citizen Science as a powerful tool to bridge academia and society.

Citizen Science holds immense potential to transform the way universities engage with society. As universities embrace Citizen Science, they can cultivate a new generation of socially responsible scientists equipped to address complex global challenges. By continuing to innovate and expand Citizen Science training—potentially even making it compulsory for graduate, master’s, and PhD students—universities can play a crucial role in fostering a more engaged, informed, and empowered society.

Figure 1: Coffee break showcasing nine UB Citizen Science projects.
Figure 2: Citizen Science practitioners sharing their experiences.
Figure 3: Wrapping up debate on Citizen Science practices.

Image Credits – UB


OpenEdition suggests that you cite this post as follows:
josepperello (April 24, 2025). Harnessing the Power of Citizen Science in Universities. LERU Public Engagement Scholarly Blog. Retrieved May 15, 2026 from https://lerupesb.hypotheses.org/349


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