Not long ago, science communication revolved around scientists “educating” the public, who were seen as passive recipients of knowledge. Thankfully, that outdated that strategy, known as a “deficit model,” has given way in the past few years to a more inclusive approach. Today, collaboration is the focus, as researchers actively work alongside public and community groups, creating opportunities for the public to become true partners in the research process. These intersecting strategies are sometimes interchangeable but, at other times, distinct strategies. They include Public Engagement, Co-production and Citizen Science
This post forms 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. This blog post explores these various terms – Public Engagement, Co-production and Citizen Science – used to describe ways of working with public and community groups, as viable approaches often vary depending on your location, institution, audience and even your funding bodies. If you’re new to this kind of work it can seem daunting to get started, and finding the right language can be tricky.


For the LERU blog series on Public Engagement, Sarah Barnes, who is Head of Public Engagement at University College London, discusses the terms Public Engagement, Co-production and Citizen Science and what differentiates them. Sarah has worked in public and community engagement for the past 12 years, and has held roles at UK universities, museums and learned societies.
Public Engagement
In the UK, the term often used is Public Engagement, encompassing activities that foster two-way communication between researchers and the public. The goal is mutual benefit, but keep in mind that communication and impact may not always be evenly balanced across projects and participants.
The term deliberately allows for flexibility in crafting projects that work for both researchers and the communities they engage with. It’s about building partnerships and acknowledging the diverse perspectives and expertise that everyone brings to the table.
At UCL, we see Public Engagement as the umbrella term that captures a range of ways of working with different stakeholders and communities. Engagement methods can range from those with more of a focus on sharing information (such as exhibitions and public talks) to those where researchers are collaborating and consulting with communities (such as Co-production and Citizen Science). Although the terms are often used interchangeably, we see Co-production and Citizen Science as ways of engaging, to be used depending on the purposes of your project.
Co-Production
Co-production is one way of engaging with individuals and communities outside of universities, and has become a buzzword in recent years. It’s often used by policymakers and funding bodies (sometimes incorrectly) to describe all sorts of projects where the public might be involved in their work.
But it’s more about the journey than the destination. When embarking on a Co-production project, you’re committing to a way of working that’s truly collaborative, and where the end product might surprise you.
Co-Production Collective at UCL describes Co-production as “working in equal partnership for equal benefit”. Public, policymakers, practitioners and researchers work in equal partnership to ensure research studies address the needs and problems of people most affected by the work. The key word here is equal – power is shared between all participants, and the goal is to ensure all partners get as much from the work as the researchers and research.
This represents a change from how research has traditionally been conducted, as the questions and approach are not solely in the researcher’s hands. But working in this way can make a real difference – if you’d like to learn more, read Co-Production Collective’s report on the value of co-production.
Citizen Science
The Oxford English Dictionary defines Citizen Science as “Scientific work undertaken by members of the general public, often in collaboration with or under the direction of professional scientists and scientific institutions.” This isn’t the only definition though as, like the other terms used above, its definition varies by funding body, country and discipline. In a recent book chapter about the challenges of defining Citizen Science1, Haklay et al brought together 34 different definitions which are used around the world!
Despite its name, it isn’t just about science. Citizen Science encompasses ways that researchers from all disciplines can involve members of the public in their research, as collectors, analysers and interpreters of research data. At its core, it allows people to become researchers for subjects they’re interested in, although the overall theme and direction of research is often shaped by the institution.
There’s also a great legacy of projects that aren’t led by universities at all. Projects like the Parenting Science Gang brought together parents with an interest in finding evidence-based answers to the questions that mattered to them. Parenting Science Gang call their work “user-led citizen science” or radical citizen science – where the volunteers who are involved in the project set the questions and design the project.
Actions speak louder than words
It’s crucial to remember the why behind these initiatives, just as you would when you’re designing an individual project. Definitions themselves will only get you so far. Public Engagement, Co-Production and Citizen Science all share a core understanding: valuable knowledge and experience exists far beyond academia. By collaborating with those outside universities and sharing power, we can significantly enhance our research and its outcomes, build new relationships and deliver outcomes that matter to people.
For further information please contact publicengagement@ucl.ac.uk
1 Haklay, M.(., Dörler, D., Heigl, F., Manzoni, M., Hecker, S., Vohland, K. (2021). What Is Citizen Science? The Challenges of Definition. In: Vohland, K., et al. The Science of Citizen Science. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-58278-4_2
OpenEdition suggests that you cite this post as follows:
sarahbarnes (January 29, 2025). UCL Public Engagement: Differentiating Public Engagement, Co-Production and Citizen Science. LERU Public Engagement Scholarly Blog. Retrieved May 15, 2026 from https://lerupesb.hypotheses.org/42