A Pan-European initiative blending Citizen Science with Research Service-Learning to tackle societal challenges
A new three-year Erasmus+ project, EPiCS (ENGAGE PEOPLE in CITIZEN SCIENCE), has launched with the aim of fostering stronger connections between higher education and local communities. By bringing together Citizen Science and Research Service-Learning (RS-L), EPiCS supports collaborative and applied approaches to learning and research. Eight partners from seven countries work together in a social innovation experiment to explore how students, researchers, and community members can jointly design research projects that address real-world challenges. In doing so, EPiCS contributes to more engagements between academic practice and civic participation.
The University of Twente plays a central role in EpiCS as one of the academic partners. Jeroen Vonk, junior researcher and PhD student, dr. Sjoerd de Vries and dr. Anne Dijkstra from the Research Centre for Science Communication and Engagement from the research group Communication Science within the BMS faculty, contribute with expertise in digital transformations, communication and education, as well as science communication and engagement.
Key objectives of the project are to:
- Encourage community involvement in scientific research.
- Promote interdisciplinary and experiential learning within higher education.
- Develop an online academic deliberative arena for Citizen Science initiatives and research service learning projects.
- Launch six pilot citizen science projects across Europe.
- Share tools and guidance through an open-access toolkit and handbook
“Responding to challenges like climate change, inequality, and democratic disengagement, requires new models of collaboration between science and society,” says Thorsten Kliewe, CEO of ACEEU in Germany, “EPiCS provides an opportunity for students, researchers, and citizens to collaborate in meaningful ways.”
Six pilot projects form the key output of EpiCS. Additionally, training modules, co-design events, and open-access educational resources will be developed. While focused on academic settings, the project’s broader aim is to encourage more inclusive and informed participation in civic life across Europe.
Project partners are:
- Accreditation Council for Entrepreneurial and Engaged Universities (ACEEU), Germany
- Bene Futuro, Italy
- Chaperone, Portugal
- Public & Science Sweden, Sweden
- The Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu (ULBS), Romania
- University of Camerino, Italy
- University of Thessaly, Greece
- University of Twente, The Netherlands
For further information and updates, visit the project website: www.epicsproject.eu
Funded by the European Union. Project Number 2024-1-DE01-KA220-HED-000255368.
Contacts at the University of Twente, department Communication Science, faculty BMS:
- Jeroen Vonk, junior researcher
- Sjoerd de Vries, assistant professor
- Anne Dijkstra, associate professor, leading the Research Centre for Science Communication and Engagement
