The Step Change project is thrilled to announce its participation in the 5th European Citizen Science Association (ECSA) conference, which will be held in Vienna, Austria, in April 2024.
Focusing on the “Change” theme, this year’s ECSA conference promises to delve into the realms of active and transformative change, spotlighting evolving citizen science practices across diverse disciplines. The alignment of this theme with the ethos of the Step Change Project underscores the significance of the upcoming event.
The Step Change team will converge in Vienna to showcase key project results and accomplishments accumulated over the past four years. Attendees can expect insightful presentations through our poster exhibition and our dedicated focus event:
“Taking Citizen Science in a New Direction, One Step at a Time!”
Here, we will be taking a deep dive into the role current and future role citizen science can and should play in driving more societally aware research, where science is done for and with the community they serve, and to promote positive policy change and decision-making. This session will include activities that will allow participants and Step Change partners to contribute to discussions on the role of citizen science in health, energy and environmental research, as well as the real-life opportunities and synergies that can be created when we take a cooperative research approach.
Moreover, the Step Change Project is honoured to host two distinguished keynote speakers:
Prof. Vittorio Colizzi, MD, PhD, renowned specialist in Clinical Infectious Diseases (University of Rome Sapienza) and Hygiene and Public Health (University of Pisa), formerly serving as Full Professor of Immunology and Director of the UNESCO Chair in Biotechnology & Bioethics at the University of Rome Tor Vergata.
Agnes Mirembe, Executive Director of Action for Rural Women’s Empowerment (ARUWE) in Kampala, Uganda, and esteemed contributor to Step Change.
In addition to contributing to the ECSA academic conference, the Step Change team will extend its presence to the Citizen Science Day at the Vienna Museum of National History on April 6th.
Attendees can anticipate informative sessions and interactive activities designed to showcase the Step Change Project’s impactful work and inspire involvement in citizen science endeavours close to their hearts.
”We are eagerly anticipating the ECSA conference in Vienna and the opportunity to share our insights and experiences. Our presence underscores our commitment to advancing citizen science and fostering meaningful societal change. We are looking forward to sharing what we have learnt but also to hear insights from the wider citizen science community.
Elena Buzan- Project Coordinator from The University of Primorska
If you are lucky enough to be attending the ECSA conference in April, the Step Change team would like to extend a very warm invitation to join us on the 5th for our Focus event to share your experiences and expertise in the field of citizen science, and to discuss with us what the future looks like for participatory science may look like, as well as to the Citizen Science Festival on the 6th. Where Step Change will have the honour of being amongst just some of the fantastic citizen science projects happening across Europe and beyond, surrounded by the history and culture of Austria in the beautiful Vienna Museum of National History.
As the Step Change Project ends its citizen science journey, we can not think of a better place to share our experience than at the ECSA conference, surrounded by esteemed citizen science friends and colleagues. The Step Change team would like to thank the whole ECSA and BOKU university team for the pleasure of attending and contributing to this year’s conference.
We hope to see you all there.
