Citizen science currently attracts considerable public funding in Flanders (Belgium) and other European knowledge-driven economies, typically with the aims of generating new research data, encouraging mutual learning among various stakeholders (scientists, citizens, policymakers), and fostering an open science culture that is receptive to, and inclusive of, public concerns. This panel conversation reflected on
The ability to communicate with all audiences is a skill that is rapidly becoming a must-have for any future scientist. As more physicists engage in communicating science to non-expert audiences, research shows that this experience helps them to get a better understanding of their own research and the impact on society, improves the perception of science by lay audiences and can also become an area of personal growth as a citizen. A recent deployment of a PhD student to the Amundsen Scott South Pole Station, as part of the IceCube Collaboration, provided a ready opportunity to spark interest. We present results of the efforts made by the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and the Interuniversity Institute for High Energies, IIHE (ULB-VUB), to introduce Belgian students and citizens to science and the life of a scientist. The essential parts of this program will be identified to show why the contributions of a PhD student to the organization of these activities are beneficial to the development of new skills as a scientist, but also to broaden the audiences and the impact of the local university and/or the specific research outreach program.
The project "amai!" ("Oh my" in Flemish) implements citizen science methods to co-develop solutions using artificial intelligence (AI) for societal challenges. The project looks for AI solutions in the field of mobility, climate, health, and work, and with the overarching theme of digital inclusion. Citizens and citizen organisations are included in the entire development process of the AI solutions, from sharing their initial ideas and co-defining solutions, to selecting proposals to receive funding to implement the solution, and involvement in the training of the AI solutions. The target audience is people not primarily interested in AI but who are interested in solving societal issues. Citizens are also invited to take part in other activities, such as using creative AI tools and playing the amai! card game. This contribution gives an overview of the approach of amai! and touches upon valuable discussions on this approach during the poster session of the
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