University of Twente (UT) | The Netherlands (INCENTIVE Coordinator)

The University of Twente (UT) is a young, entrepreneurial research university where 3,200 scientists and professionals conduct pioneering research on nanotechnology, ICT, biomedical technology and technical medicine, engineering, governance and behavioural sciences and geo-information / earth observation sciences.  UT aims to ground RRI so that more knowledge becomes available on Citizen Science, but also how institutional changes need to be made, both at research, funding and policy level.

For more information, visit university site

Key societal challenges

The Citizen Science Hub of UT sets to address the following societal challenges:

  • Brain drain and a low-educated workforce
  • High levels of urbanisation
  • Limited geographic accessibility

Mission of UT Hub

UT builds a visible, inclusive, and publicly accessible CSH that builds upon existing initiatives (e.g. TOPFIT CitizenLab, EnschedeLab, Science shop SMART) and will be competitive on an (inter)national level with CS knowledge and skills.

Objectives of UT Hub

UT aims to support a CS movement within the university while providing (improved) CS methods. The Hub will start CS research projects and initiate CS modules. It also aims to build a CS infrastructure (data, ethics, legal aspects and establish consortia) and maintain a vibrant CS community.

KEY LOCAL STAKEHOLDERS

  • University of Twente researcher in Geographic Information Science and support staff
  • Province of Overijssel
  • Entrepreneur in health and healthcare
  • Twentse Noabers: a citizen collective interest organisation
  • EnschedeLab initiative connecting students and the City of Enschede

CORE VALUES OF THE HUB

The UT Citizen Science Hub prioritises Openness as the core value. The preferable CSH for UT engages with “whoever wants” – illiterate people, first-line workers, low-economic status people, and all those that “never joined a party”. Open access and open science values (i.e., openness, equality, integrity, respect, honesty) and the values of science education (learning, authority, reciprocity) are critical. The Hub also supports regional wellbeing.

MAIN ACTIVITIES OF THE HUB

  • Build communities and projects
  • Provide (online) tools, infrastructure & rooms
  • Integrate solutions for data and ethics
  • Map CS initiatives and stakeholders
  • Develop an educational programme
  • Promote skills training
  • Communication & dissemination
Discover the website of the UT Citizen Science Hub