Masterclass on Citizen Science for Library Executives

The ECS Academy and the LIBER Citizen Science working group will host a Library Executive Masterclass on Citizen Science. The event, held on the 7-8 May 2024 in Paris, France, is open to library executives and mid-level managers. Organised by Citizen Science experts Professor Muki Haklay (UCL and Learning Planet Institute – ECS Team Lead), Anne Kathrine Overgaard and Thomas Kaarsted (SDU), the two-day programme will offer advice on how to integrate Citizen Science in your library.

About the Citizen Science Masterclass

The ECS Academy and the LIBER Citizen Science Working Group offer the opportunity for library executives and mid-level managers to adapt the concept and begin the transformation.  

Citizen Science is manifesting itself at European Universities and provides ample opportunities for funding through European research agencies, both regarding excellence and infrastructure. LIBER libraries seem uniquely suited to fill the role of facilitator. Back in 2016, the League of European Research Universities (LERU) recommended – where viable – to establish a hub or office for Citizen Science to facilitate research and address the gap between scientists and the public. 

However, a huge gap currently exists between the perceived importance to LIBER members and the barriers surrounding the field. This proposal of a pilot one and a half-day executive masterclass aims at erasing the gap and to investigate a future course. 

Goals of the Citizen Science Masterclass

A new study (Kaarsted et. al 2023) building on a survey of LIBER libraries shows that a vast majority report both a clear understanding of the usefulness and importance of Citizen Science, and the availability of the skills needed to host Citizen Science activities. However, only a quarter of libraries reported that they were actually organising activities within Citizen Science. This gap could be explained by a lack of resources, lack of external funding, as well as lack of administrative resources.  

Most LIBER libraries agree Citizen Science is important, but only a few make the effort themselves to fill that void. In the meantime, other university entities are opening hubs devoted to Citizen Science activities.  

The proposed pilot masterclass aims at filling the gap and enabling library management to overcome the barriers. Organised by the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) and ECS Academy, the one and a half-day course will include:  

• How to kick off Citizen Science in my library 
• How to form The Why for staff and stakeholders and work with strategy 
• How to map competences 
• Working with internal and external partners 
• Change management 
• Exploring a business case for a Citizen Science Hub 
• Identifying relevant grant proposals 

Learning outcomes

The outcome for participants will be to identify the right course for their Library, to help form an alliance of partners in Europe, and to begin the first Citizen Science work on facilitation. 

Is the Citizen Science Masterclass for me? 

The participants will be Senior Managers aspiring to become Library Directors, with an endorsement from their Library Director.
Participation is free of charge. Participants will pay for their own travel, accommodation and networking dinner on the first night.

Maximum 20 participants. 

Deadline for registrations: March 1st 2024

The ECS Academy is funded by the European Union