Editor’s choice
Editor’s choice
part of Citizen Science
Citizen science and adjacent participatory methods are increasingly encouraged by funders and important for producing meaningful and trusted knowledge. These approaches help ensure that research reflects the needs and experiences of communities. They are central to SEI’s work on environmental and social sustainability and used widely in research across the University of York.
Although interest in these methods is growing, researchers can find them difficult to use in practice. It can be challenging to design a project that is both inclusive and scientifically rigorous, and work with participants ethically and with sensitivity, especially within the constraints of research funding.
CS Co-labs has been set up to respond to this challenge by creating a shared space for those using, or interested in using, citizen science methods to access support, learn from experience and explore new approaches. It is run by Inclusive Citizen Science, the citizen science research group at our York centre, which has been using, evaluating and developing citizen science methodologies since 2008.
We aim to strengthen capacity, particularly across SEI and the University of York, to deliver high quality, inclusive, and robust citizen science and adjacent participatory approaches.
We will also set up an advisory board composed of citizen science participants, to oversee the project and ensure what we do is relevant and appropriate.
CS Co-labs launched in Summer 2026 with an in-person event at the University of York and two online events. See the slides we used to introduce the project.
We will run a series of topic-based discussion sessions starting September 2026. In each session: members of our team will give a brief presentation sharing our experiences and understanding of the topic, before inviting reflections from participants and facilitating discussion for collective learning.
Details of each session will be included here as they are finalized.
Event on 09 September / In this first CS Co-labs discussion session we will provide a general introduction to citizen science, as we understand it, and facilitate a group discussion.
Feature / Use the hub to learn more about citizen science, connect with others using and developing methods, and discover resources, training and events.
Feature / Learn how citizen science methodologies can be valuable at different stages of the research process, and the benefits (and costs) of different approaches.
Feature / Learn how our group has evolved over 18 years to focus on improving best practice in citizen science and inclusive engagement for environmental sustainability.
