TOWARDS A PAN-EUROPEAN RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE FOR EXCELLENT CITIZEN SCIENCE

ongoing

The RIECS-Concept project aims to conceptualize the European Research Infrastructure for Excellence in Citizen Science that will leverage both citizens' resources (such as mobile phones, desktop computers, etc) and scientific existing resources (citizen science platforms, data collections, existing RIs, etc.) and will provide transversal servicies to the research community. This proposal responds to the needs of citizen science actors (atomization and interoperability issues, efficiency, etc) and lays the foundation for the world's first complete design of this nature. It sets a flagship pathway for citizen science marking a supposes significant leap forward for excellence in citizen science for the coming decades. The RIECS-Concept project will produce two key outcomes: a conceptual design including a feasibility study, and a five-year implementation plan for the new research infrastructure. These outcomes will provide detailed insights into the diversity and maturity of the concept considering technical, operational, societal, and environmental challenges associated with establishing the permanent and shared infrastructure. To gather project findings and community-based evidence, the consortium will conduct primary, secondary, and meta-analysis research involving a wide range of communities and various themes and scientific domains. With a transversal and holistic approach, topics addressed will include the catalogue of resources and best practices, gaps assessment, legal and ethical considerations, as well as sustainability and governance frameworks. The consortium will cooperate with major national and international networks co-organizing activities such as surveys and workshops to bring their related solutions and needs.