Abstract

LUIS, Cristina. Citizen Science: Past, Present and Future of Public Engagement in Scientific Research. RLEC/LJCS [online]. 2022, vol.9, n.2, pp.29-42.  Epub Apr 30, 2023. ISSN 2184-0458.  https://doi.org/10.21814/rlec.4051.

When the relationship between science and society takes on a more prominent role, initiatives that allow greater involvement and dialogue between both parties become increasingly relevant. In this context, the past decade has seen an enormous growth of a practice known as citizen science as a form of public participation in scientific research that promotes the faster advance of scientific knowledge and contributes to greater collaboration between science and society. This article presents a brief overview of the main aspects of citizen science, how this practice emerged and how it mobilised the involvement of society in the past, particularly by analysing examples related to biodiversity recording and outlining the current situation in Portugal. It includes some suggestions for developing future actions in this field, particularly studies that analyse the motivations to participate in scientific research, allowing for a more open and shared science.

Keywords : citizen science; public engagement; motivations; research; history.

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