Participants and Selection Criteria

We welcome researchers from all institutions and disciplines as well as Citizen Science practitioners to apply for this Summer School.

The program is designed for master students, doctoral candidates, postdocs, and Citizen Science practitioners who aim to develop a project or idea, as well as those who are further along in the planning and implementation phase. We aim for a diverse group of participants with different disciplinary backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives who are interested in socially relevant research and new ways of engaging with (non-academic) citizens. The Summer School will be held in English; therefore, fluency in spoken and written English is required.

Selection criteria: Applicants should demonstrate a strong interest in participatory research, ideally being in the early stages of their Citizen Science journey. We highly value active course participation and motivation to engage with peers and share experiences. A solid command of English is required. Preliminary knowledge of participatory methods, principles, challenges, or settings is an asset. This knowledge could be acquired through recent research, NGO work, or volunteering. We also appreciate applicants who show social commitment through private, professional, or academic activities. Well-structured and complete applications are always a plus.

High diversity of perspectives is essential for this Summer School and for Citizen Science more broadly. To ensure this, the organising team reserves the right to give preference to applicants from diverse backgrounds — for example in terms of discipline, field of work, country of origin, or gender. We are happy to support your visa process and can provide an invitation letter for your visa application. 

If you are an advanced professional working in the field of Citizen Science, we encourage you to explore Citizen Science Zurich’s other opportunities for further training and networking instead.