On 21 October, Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) hosted the online event “Citizen Science: Encouraging Public Engagement in Research” as part of International Open Access Week. The event brought together more than 50 researchers, academics, doctoral candidates, students, and library professionals from KTU and other Lithuanian research and cultural institutions to discuss the role of citizen science in research, showcase KTU initiatives, and explore practical approaches to engaging the public in scientific activities.
The event opened with a presentation by Dr Jurgita Jurkevičienė, Associate Professor at KTU, who discussed the role of citizenship and citizen science in strengthening societal resilience. Drawing on findings from the RECONECT project, Strengthening Societal and Community Resilience through Citizen Science and Citizenship, she highlighted how experts from Lithuanian higher education institutions assess society’s preparedness for various threats, the forms of civic engagement that emerge during crises, and the contribution of citizen science to developing civic competencies.
“Citizen science provides practical opportunities to develop civic competencies through critical thinking, collaboration, data-driven problem-solving, and active participation,” emphasised Dr Jurkevičienė.
Professor Eglė Butkevičienė presented the results of a nationwide survey examining public attitudes towards science, researchers, and participation in research activities. She also introduced a set of recommendations developed for municipalities, research institutions, communities, and non-governmental organisations, underscoring the importance of citizen science in building a more active, engaged, and resilient society.
Providing practical examples of public engagement in research, Laura Jankauskaitė-Jurevičienė, Lecturer at the KTU Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, presented the projects Genius Loci: Urbanisation and Civic Community and GreenInCities. These initiatives brought together residents, school pupils, students, and experts to co-create visions for the future of cities and public spaces. The presentation highlighted the co-creation methods, participatory workshops, and digital tools used to develop solutions responsive to community needs while strengthening dialogue between researchers and society.
The event also featured a presentation by Associate Professor Dr Gintarė Tautkevičienė and Aistė Pranckutė from the KTU Library, who introduced the activities of the KTU Citizen Science Centre. They reviewed the achievements of the 2024-2025 project Advancing Citizen Science Activities at KTU, including the development of a community interest map, researcher training initiatives, and the Citizen Science Centre Strategy. The speakers also outlined the Centre’s strategic priorities focused on integrating citizen science across the university, strengthening competencies, fostering public engagement, and creating sustainable long-term impact.
The event concluded with a discussion on the future development of citizen science at KTU, the support mechanisms needed by researchers, and the challenges associated with increasing public participation in the research process.
Presentation slides (in Lithuanian) from the event are available here:
