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Short Abstract

What if diagnostics were co-designed by the women who use them? In 10 years, we envision citizen science as the norm in FemTech—where lived experience drives innovation, equity, and trust in women’s healthcare.

Abstract

Citizen science is more than public participation—it’s a revolution in ownership and relevance. Our vision for the next decade is one where citizen science becomes a standard engine of innovation in women’s health, especially in under-addressed areas like gynaecological cancer.

We share a bold concept born from practice: the co-creation of a non-invasive diagnostic for endometrial cancer, using protein biomarkers found in uterine fluid. Through deep collaboration with patients, clinicians, and scientists, we’ve moved beyond the lab to reimagine diagnostic care that is accurate, non-invasive, and rooted in lived experience.

In the next 5–10 years, we envision a global diagnostic pipeline shaped with citizens from the start—where research protocols are co-authored, sampling tools are redesigned for comfort, and trust is built through shared power. Especially in women’s health, this shift is not just desirable—it’s overdue.

This session will spark dialogue on how to scale and systematize this approach, blending FemTech, precision medicine, and participatory design into a new future for citizen science. We’ll pitch a blueprint where end-users lead health innovation and where citizen science is no longer a niche—it’s the norm.

Your voice matters in shaping this vision. Let’s build it together.