The Citizen Scientist Concept: Building a research active community

2014 Conference

Abstract: Public understanding of health research and access to information about local involvement opportunities is a widely recognised problem yet no simple solution seems to meet the public need.

As the Citizen Scientist Project Public Advisory Group, our goal was to help people find out about health research in our local area and opportunities where they can take part in research studies. The project aims to put the choice with the patient which we believe is a concept that is long overdue in clinical research. The Citizen Scientist Project is pushing a cultural change of encouraging members of the public to enquire about research rather than being approached by a clinician. This is important as the vast majority of patients whose health, care and treatment we are trying to improve live in our communities not in our clinics. We believe that by making research more accessible in this way we can increase awareness, understanding and acceptance of the research.

The practical implications for the Citizen Scientist project are how we best communicate local research to local people. Improving access to opportunities and understanding of what research is and isn’t are key objectives. We helped to determine the design and feel of the project and work closely with the management team to provide sense checks and oversight from a public perspective. We are proud to have helped drive this unique and innovative project forward. This poster is designed and presented by the Citizen Scientist Public Advisory Group (CSAG).

The Citizen Scientist Advisory Group supports the management team for the Citizen Scientist Project. They formed in early 2012 and consist of members of the local population of Salford. They have provided a means to sense check and support decision making for the project from early setup to its current plans for wider roll out.

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