Accepted Poster
Poster Short Abstract
This paper presents how Citizen Science is being integrated at a nursing research unit in Portugal through awareness initiatives, participatory training, co-creation sessions, and the active involvement of citizens in research projects, fostering more inclusive and socially embedded health research
Poster Abstract
The integration of Citizen Science (CS) into institutional structures represents a strategic step towards consolidating more open, participatory, and socially responsive scientific practices. In the field of health, CS plays a crucial role in promoting scientific and health literacy, strengthening public trust, and generating more effective solutions. At the Health Sciences Research Unit: Nursing (UICISA:E), a strategic axis dedicated to “Extension and Citizen Involvement” has been developed to structure methodologies, processes, and spaces for systematic citizen participation. This work describes the experience of UICISA:E in promoting and implementing CS within health research. It is a descriptive study based on the analysis of initiatives organised around three complementary dimensions: (i) Awareness-raising and outreach, through public initiatives in extra-academic contexts—such as parks, shopping centres, and municipal markets—including participation in four editions of the European Researchers’ Night, involving hundreds of citizens; (ii) Capacity-building and co-creation, through participatory workshops in scientific events, training activities for internal and external researchers, and more than 30 co-creation sessions to develop clear and accessible scientific materials; (iii) Active involvement in research projects, achieved by integrating citizens in different stages of ongoing studies as a formal requirement for all projects within the unit, and by creating a volunteer registry to strengthen long-term engagement. This experience illustrates how CS can support the institutionalisation of more inclusive and socially embedded scientific practices, reinforcing the social mission of higher education institutions and bringing science closer to citizens.
Poster Session