Ethics, infrastructure, and institutional support for citizen science

What?

How?

Why?

Examples of CS projects that includes an ethical dimension

Introduction to two projects about personal data donation (Microsetta Initiative and the Personal Genome Project) and the West Baltimore Mosquito Stoppers project. 

Demonstration of how ethical issues such as informed consent, privacy, and equity may inform CS projects

Six out of the Ten Principles of Citizen Science from ESCA, which include ethical dimensions

Going over six principles in the Ten Principles for Citizen Science framework produced by ECSA that involved ethical issues: Principle 3, 5, and 7-10.

Showing that ECSA’s ten principles already include ethical aspects.

Encompassing adherence to ethical standards and compliance with laws

Elaboration on the rational approach to ethical conduct and legal compliance: How to foster accountability, transparency, and risk management within organisations or projects to ensure responsible behavior and mitigate legal risks

Enabling learners to contemplate ethical and legal standards, accountability and compliance, and transparency and risk management

Integrating ethical considerations into all aspects of citizen science projects

Presenting elements of an ethical infrastructure for citizen science: Institutional frameworks and Open Science and Responsible Research and Innovation

Allowing learners to consider various aspects of ethical and legal compliance

What?

How?

Why?

Examples of citizen science hubs or CS-ICPs

Describing types of citizen hubs or institutional contact points, for example libraries, research centres, and others. Three different examples are given to illustrate: Citizen Science Knowledge Center - University of Southern Denmark, Citizen Science Center Zurich, and Aarhus University Citizen Science

Demonstrating that citizen science hubs already exist and showing that there is no one-size-fits-all

The role of the CS-ICP in an institution

Describing the CS-ICP as a vital link between research and the wider community, ensuring that CS projects align with the organisation’s goals, values, and ethical standards while facilitating their successful implementation and impact

Allowing the learners to consider these functions of the CS-ICP: 1) Coordination and support, 2) ethical and legal compliance, and 3) quality assurance and promotion

Designing and customizing the CS-ICP for an institution

How to design on ICP with regard to impact, outreach and sustainability: 1) Assessment and needs analysis, 2) Role definition and structure, and 3) Training and integration

Enabling learners to design and customize the CS-ICP for their institution

Designing a governance framework for CS-ICPs

Presenting the governance framework designed by the INCENTIVE project

Enabling learners to design a governance framework 

Needs assessment

Learners will reflect on the unique needs and characteristics of their institutions, sharing insights and potential benefits of an institutional contact point for citizen science (CS-ICP). They must do a collective brainstorm to identify specific challenges and opportunities.

Allowing learners to understand the specific needs and benefits of CS-ICP within their institutions, fostering a collective brainstorming process to identify challenges and opportunities unique to their context.

Designing the contact point

Learners may use a template or worksheet provided to design these components of an institutional contact point: Online hub/portal, Service desk, Communication tools and platform, Knowledge and expertise (best practices, protocols, evaluation forms, etc.), Partnership frameworks. This part of the program ends with group discussions for idea exchange and feedback.

Learners learn how to design essential components of a CS-ICP, including an online hub, service desk, communication tools, knowledge resources, and partnership frameworks. Group discussions enable idea exchange and valuable feedback, ensuring the development of effective CS-ICPs.

Governance framework

Based on an example governance framework (e.g., the INCENTIVE project’s framework), learners will consider how to adapt and implement governance at their institution and for the specific CS-ICP. The governance framework should include a tailored roadmap for establishing a CS-ICP that aligns with the unique needs and goals of their respective organisations.

Based on a sample governance framework (e.g., the INCENTIVE project's model), learners explore how to adapt and implement governance tailored to their institutions and CS-ICP. This framework helps create a roadmap for establishing CS-ICPs aligned with their organization's specific needs and objectives.

Sharing and feedback

Learners will briefly present their draft institutional contact point designs to the group. Peers provide feedback, suggestions, and insights.

Learners present their draft institutional contact point designs to the group, facilitating peer feedback, suggestions, and insights, ensuring the refinement of their CS-ICP plans through collective expertise.