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Science Shops mediate between citizens and citizen groups and research institutions. The Science Shop refers to the way civil society’s requests and problems can be transferred into a research set up and be linked to experts in local partnerships.
Science Shop
Local community
Experts
Applying the methodology aims at encouraging citizens to actively participate in science by formulating research requests. It will mobilise citizens and other stakeholders to feed science and research with their real needs, expectations and ideas. The Science Shop will feed, complement and extend other activities of Education for Sustainable Development, also providing experiences for teachers, Science Museums and Science Event organisers to engage with the general public at a deeper level. The method co-creates new knowledge. This is often codified in reports (theses, sometimes edited; brochures, advisory letters, designs, press-releases, etc). Seminars and follow-up research proposals can also be the result. Among the other results of the Science Shop are: co-creation of knowledge, empowered CSOs, motivated students, and PR for the participating research institute.
The method can be described for 3 different levels of implementation:
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Level A describes the minimum activities and results expected from applying the Science Shop method during a short period.
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Level B is expected to be initiated and implemented together with local experts / local community of practice. The time needed to fulfil these steps might need to be continued after the project period.
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Level C activities are not expected to be performed during the project period. Research stemming Science Shops in the project is likely to last beyond the project’s lifetime.
