Opening Science with society - public engagement strategies within social sciences and humanities participatory research projects

Citizen science is a well-established domain in many scientific disciplines. Far less is known about the practices of citizen science in the social sciences and humanities.

These disciplines can be characterized by a diversity of publication languages, an entrenchment in diverse cultural backgrounds and the need for specific forms of scholarly communication (such as, amongst others, monographs, critical editions, andc edited bibliographies).

The COESO project is fostering and highlighting citizen science practices in the social sciences and humanities.

Ten European-based case studies -”pilots”- reporting on specific challenges have fed the COESO project: five of them began at the beginning of the project in January 2021, while the other five were chosen through an Open Call process in early 2022. Each pilot presents a distinct type and model of collaboration between different kinds of stakeholders, addressing specific societal issues. This diversity has generated knowledge on challenges found within participatory practices in the social sciences and humanities research fields.

Central to the COESO project is the idea of empowering communities through active participation in research, democratizing knowledge production, and fostering a sense of ownership among citizens. The project promotes participatory practices involving a variety of SSH disciplines and social actors, by leveraging the strengths of various disciplines, including sociology, anthropology, political science, and the arts. The 10 pilots provide a platform for collaboration between researchers, practitioners, and citizens, allowing for the co-creation of new knowledge and innovative solutions to pressing societal challenges.

The aim of this poster is to show the different engagement strategies that have been used to establish communities of active participants in each of the pilots, as well as the actions that have been carried out to raise awareness of the project and maintain the interest of these communities in its development.

From initial stakeholder mapping, information management, data collection and storage to communication and dissemination of results, each pilot has deployed a unique engagement strategy, making COESO an excellent repository of information on the different ways of approaching community building around citizen science, social science and humanities initiatives.

The COESO project is a trailblazer in integrating Citizen Science with Social Sciences and Humanities, offering innovative pilot studies that engage citizens in original and impactful research. The project not only democratizes knowledge production but also cultivates a sense of ownership, agency, and responsibility among citizens, ultimately leading to more resilient, equitable, and sustainable communities. By showcasing the diversity and potential of these pilots, this poster invites further exploration and collaboration in the exciting and evolving domain of citizen science in the SSH.