Success for Citizen Science at the Open Research Forum

The Open Research Forum: Citizen Science recently took place in April. These events were organised to celebrate Citizen Science Month in collaboration with Oscar Diaz, the European Citizen Science Ambassador for Ireland, along with Ruth Hynes (Head of Research and Innovation Strategic Development), Dr. Liz Coleman (School of Natural Sciences), and Éle Quinn (Medicine) from the University of Galway. Organised by Dr. Jen Smith, Open Research Librarian at the University of Galway Library, these events brought together an eclectic group of artists, university staff and students, scientists, innovators, and members of the public to celebrate and learn about Citizen Science projects taking place locally and further afield. 

 

Oscar Diaz listening to project pitches from the Innovator Soc at the University of Galway Library MakerSpace, which is open to all students and staff. 

 

 Speirscéalta/Stories of the Air Book Launch

 

 

On Monday 7th April, we celebrated the launch of the bilingual book  Spéirscéalta – a collection of stories that explores the air. The event was opened by Adam Stoneman, Creative Communities Engagement Officer at Galway City Council, along with project lead Dr. Liz Coleman, and artist Sam Vardy from a place of their own, and Dr. Mairéad Hurley from Trinity College Dublin. Claire-Lise Kieffer read from her story “Breathe/Análaigh”, and the book was officially launched by Oscar Diaz, the European Citizen Science Ambassador for Ireland. Thanks go to Galway Arts Centre for providing refreshments.

 

Dr. Liz Coleman playing the fiddle and Dr. Mairéad Hurley playing the concertina for the launch of Spéirscéalta.

 

Open Research Forum Presentations

On Tuesday 8th April, our morning started off with a keynote lecture by Oscar Diaz, the European Citizen Science Ambassador for Ireland. Oscar introduced us to the great work being done by Creative Spark Dundalk, the Centre for Creativity and Innovation. The centre provides a wide variety of spaces, workshops and community led projects in creative industry, innovation, technology and sustainable energy sectors supporting innovative projects and creative thinking for a combination of both artistic and scientific endeavours.  

Oscar also introduced us to the European Citizen Science Platform, an online network allowing anyone to publicise a Citizen Science project that they are initiating or are involved in. Project themes include Art & Science, Climate justice, Democracy, Inclusion and Social Justice, and Supporting SciComm and the overarching aim is to empower anyone regardless of whether their professional background is science based or not to get involved in public engagement and launch a project that is meaningful to them, their local area and environment. He also spoke about the aim to establish a Citizen Science Network in Ireland as an introduction to the workshop he would be leading later on in the day. 

Following on from that, we had Ruth Hynes, the Head of Research and Innovation Strategic Development from the University of Galway, speak about our University’s engaged approach to creative thinking and collaboration. Ruth spoke about the principles for engagement within the Research Community Portal and including Citizen Science as an important tool for outreach and community engagement within as well as outside of the University. 

Dr. Liz Coleman, School of Natural Sciences, spoke to us about her work helping communities to conduct scientific research on air quality. She explained the importance of air quality and how monitoring is necessary to manage our air pollution levels, which often get overlooked in comparison to water and soil qualities. Air is the invisible element which sustains life on Earth, and Liz works with artists, the public, policy makers, and scientists in a collaborative effort to make the invisible visible. Liz gave us an overview of her current project, The Air We Share, which invites the public to take part in data analysis of air quality and creative projects to exhibit the scientific results.  

 

Éle Quinn spoke to us about The People’s Review: Powered by the Public. A PhD candidate with Evidence Synthesis Ireland, Éle is leading this project which is the first of its kind to invite the public to take part in a systematic review. The People's Review aims to help the public learn about systematic reviews, to understand why they matter, and how they can be used to help make health decisions.  

 

 

Workshop participants celebrating the launch of Éle Quinn's project, The People's Review.

Building the Irish Citizen Science Network workshop

After the presentations, Oscar led a workshop on how to grow the Irish Citizen Science network. Oscar discussed why we need a network and invited participants to share their insights into how the network could progress and to define what contributions can be made to a newly formed working group.  

 

 

 

Building the Irish Citizen Science Network workshop led by Oscar Diaz 

 

Overall, the book launch, talks, and workshop provided an empowering experience to interact in a contemporary way of thinking which supports collaboration between the arts and sciences, not just within academia but with the public at its heart as well. Citizen Science is that empowerment which allows everyone the opportunity to voice their concerns related to the environment including ways of celebration as well as taking part in proactive projects. Thank you to Dr. Jen Smith for organising these events and thank you to everyone who presented and joined us. We will STEAM ahead to the next of many projects. Watch this space for more info!  

Author

Michelle Tighe is the Open and Digital Research Assistant in the University of Galway Library.