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Short Abstract

This session explores how research assessment (RA) can better recognise citizen science. Drawing on insights from the CoARA Boost project and the Marie Curie Alumni Association’s survey on RA, the session highlights inclusive approaches to value collaboration, openness, and diverse contributions.

Abstract

Citizen science (CS) changes research by bringing public participation into diverse scientific efforts. However, current RA often struggle to fully recognise the contributions of citizen scientists and the collaborative nature of these projects. This session will explore how to evolve research assessment to embrace CS, focusing on three connected areas: recognising diverse contributions, aligning with Open Science principles, and fostering career development.

As an active participant in the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA) and the CoARA Boost project, the MCAA works for systemic change in research evaluation. Drawing on insights from the CoARA Boost project, we will share emerging practices and tools that support recognition of diverse research contributions and promote responsible assessment aligned with the CoARA Agreement principles. The session will also explore the critical link between CS practices and Open Science principles. We'll discuss how to assess the FAIRness of CS data and how it promotes transparency and reproducibility in research. Building on the results of the recent large-scale MCAA survey on RA, we will also present evidence on researchers’ experiences and perceptions of how current systems value activities such as public engagement and CS.

Finally, drawing on the MCAA's commitment to researcher development, we will demonstrate how engaging with CS can enhance the skills, networks, and career prospects of researchers. We will discuss how to include CS activities in both academic and non-academic careers. This session aims to foster a dialogue on developing more inclusive and effective RA frameworks that accurately reflect the potential of CS.