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    • Home
    • Rethinking prosperity
    • What we can do
    • Citizen scientist journey
    • Citizen Prosperity Index
    • Prosperity for London
    • Our citizen scientists
    • Turning ideas into action
    • Universal basic services
    • Entrepreneurship for us
    • Visit exhibition
    • Vote for us
    • Study with us
  • Home
  • Rethinking prosperity
  • What we can do
  • Citizen scientist journey
  • Citizen Prosperity Index
  • Prosperity for London
  • Our citizen scientists
  • Turning ideas into action
  • Universal basic services
  • Entrepreneurship for us
  • Visit exhibition
  • Vote for us
  • Study with us

What is a citizen scientist and how to become one

In 2023 the Institute for Global Prosperity launched the UCL Citizen Science Academy (CSA) in collaboration with the UCL Office for Open Science. The Academy trains members of the public —referred to as citizen social scientists—to conduct research within their own communities, providing insights and delivering new solutions. 

Through inclusive, practice-based education, participants gain skills in research design, ethics, and data collection, with the goal of informing local policy and driving social change. 


The flexible Certificate programme includes six competency domains and is designed to support diverse future projects. Research findings are shared through various formats to promote community-led action and influence decision-making.

“I believe the matters concerning the people on the ground should be influenced and informed by those same people. We know our areas best, we know our lives best, and we can inform and impact change better than anyone who just looks at it from a solely business perspective.


Lorraine, citizen scientist in east London

The journey of a citizen social scientist

UCL Citizen Science Academy

About UCL CSA

Joseph Cook (CSA Lead) and Twinkle Jayakumar (Citizen Scientist) talk about their work

UCL CSA Launch

We launched UCL CSA in May 2023, hear from our research teams, Prof. Henrietta Moore and UCL President and Provost Dr Michael Spence

North Kensington Citizen Scientists

Citizen social scientists trained by the UCL CSA presented their research findings on what the ‘good life’ to means to North Kensington residents

People that don’t usually like to talk to the council, they talk to me. But if a researcher comes they would refuse. They don’t feel listened to or [that] their voice will be heard.”


Citizen scientist in Camden

Blogs & Articles

Communities speaking up: reclaiming their rights and building the future

Communities speaking up: reclaiming their rights and building the future

Communities speaking up: reclaiming their rights and building the future

Prof. Henrietta Moore

The systems of power across the world are clearly in a state of flux. Institutions, those in government and leading are working to reimagine themselves in an age where gaining trust from those they represent is hard won, however we’re seeing communities step into the gaps where figures of authority haven’t yet risen to the challenge. 

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Can citizen science drive social change?

Communities speaking up: reclaiming their rights and building the future

Communities speaking up: reclaiming their rights and building the future

Eva Lamorgese 

This article explores what citizen science is and how it can be used to drive change in local areas and communities.

read article

Start using place-based data co-produced with citizens

Communities speaking up: reclaiming their rights and building the future

Start using place-based data co-produced with citizens

Saffron Woodcraft

This article for the Municipal Journal looks at the role of place-based data based on lived experiences and co-produced with citizens for devolution.

read article

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