Resonating with sciences: The transformative and democratizing potential of citizen science

Research Project, 2026 – 2030

Scientific literacy is key for an active and participatory citizenship in an increasingly complex, techno-scientific society. Yet, many people struggle to relate to science. Citizen science has been proposed as an alternative path to more equitable participation in science as well as a change in epistemic relations. In this project, we investigate the diverse characteristics and transformative potential of engagement with science through case studies of three different citizen science communities: genetic genealogy, patient partners in research, and climate activists. We follow focal participants in these communities through participant observations and interviews during three years, analysing their engagement and its effect. Drawing on theories of resonance and epistemic communities, we analyse the affective and meaningful relationships formed between people, materials and ideas in these contexts. We analyse how engagement in these emerging citizen science contexts contribute to the development of critical scientific literacy, well-being, and agency as well as to a refiguring of traditional epistemic hierarchies. The end goal is to explore the transformative and democratizing potential of citizen science in reshaping science learning, knowledge production, and its societal impact.