Citizen Science/Engaged Translational Science: A Comparative Perspective

Julia Nevárez

 Co-Presenters: Individual Presentation
College: College of Liberal Arts
Department: School of Social Sciences
 

Abstract:

The goal of this presentation is to examine the citizen science and engaged translational science frameworks that advance interdisciplinary research to place community interests at the forefront of knowledge co-production and co-creation. Recently, there has been a renewed interest on fostering collaboration between scientists and citizens to produce new knowledge integrates scientific inquiry with societal engagement. This approach seeks to cultivate a cadre of “community competent” researchers who recognize the value of participatory knowledge production. Participatory research, citizen science, and engaged translational science represent intersecting methodologies that underscore community involvement in research design, execution, as well as the effective dissemination of applied research findings. This presentation will critically compare these approaches -- participatory research, citizen science, and engaged translational science – analyzing their respective contributions to democratizing knowledge by acknowledging that communities and individuals actively engage with and interpret their environments to generate meaningful insights. A content analysis of key concepts and perspectives in the existing literature will provide the basis for a comparative framework among the different community-based paradigms. By examining the social dimensions of knowledge production, this study highlights the relevance of stakeholder involvement as an integral component in the co-production of knowledge alongside scientists and researchers.