Running online citizen science trials – an opportunity to democratise research

Aims

1. To gain insight into the benefits and challenges of co-designing citizen science trials 

2. To share experience from an ongoing Citizen Science project in eczema (Rapid Eczema Trials www.RapidEczemaTrials.org )

3. To share learning about the practical implications of co-designing citizen science online trials.

Content

 • Interactive task / poll to get the attendees thinking about what they understand by the term “citizen science”. Presentation by members of Rapid Eczema Trials Team (researcher and citizen scientists)

• Introduction to key principles of citizen science and co-design and how these might be applied to community-led clinical trials (signpost to resources)

• Provide examples of citizen science in other areas (eg RSPB, astronomy) • Reflect on experiences of running citizen science online trials through the Rapid Eczema Trials project

• Introduce small group activity. Small group task/discussion - groups to discussion one of the following topics: 

• Exploring the practical challenges of co-designing citizen-science online trials (e.g. do people need to have lived experience of the condition of interest?  Can people who co-design the studies take part in them? What is the impact of lengthy questionnaires and screening procedures? How can diagnosis be confirmed? How to avoid burn out of teams?)

• Making an enduring legacy – what happens when the grant runs out?   

• Making citizen science a safe and enjoyable space for everyone (e.g. addressing differential power dynamics, bringing in the views and experiences of wider community, managing online meetings, adapting to multiple health issues, making it fun). Whole group feedback on issues/solutions raised

• Attendees to complete a brief end of workshop reflection survey or poll