Science Shops – Important Actors in Community Based Research LIVING KNOWLEDGE The International Science Shop Network In addition to the demands made on research and development by commerce and industry, ‘civil society’ organisations have their own research needs. Within the concept of ‘social demand’ for knowledge there is an increasing necessity for communication from society to researchers. Science Shops are one type of interface between science and its researchers and society. Science shops are organisations created as You can contact the International Science mediators between citizen groups (trade unions, Shop Network, and its members, by pressure groups, non-profit organisations, social sending an email to the International groups, environmentalists, consumers, residents Science Shop Office (ISSO). association etc.) and research institutions (universities, independent research facilities). International Science Shop Office, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, A Science Shop provides independent, the Netherlands, participatory research support in tel: +.31.30.2537363, response to concerns experienced by fax: +.31.2535795, civil society. email: [email protected] www.livingknowledge.org The term ‘science’ is used in its broadest sense, incorporating social and human sciences, as well as You can find national networks natural, physical, engineering and technical sciences. or contact points in: There is not one dominant organisational structure defining a Science Shop. How Science Australia Austria Belgium Canada Denmark Estonia France Shops are organised and operate is highly dependent on their context. Germany Greece Iceland Latvia Netherlands Norway Romania The above defi nition of a Science Shop might Spain South Africa Sweden South Korea Turkey UK USA also include organisations that do not self-defi ne Building partnerships for as a science shop. Organisations that meet the This information is part of the project called ISSNET which has been awarded fi nancial support by the European Commission through the defi nition of a Science Shop and do provide civil contract HPRP-CT-2002-00011. ISSNET is a ‚Thematic Network‘ in the 5th Framework Programme, under the theme ‘Improving Human Potential & public access to research society with knowledge and skills through research Socio-economic Knowledge base’, section ‘‘Raising Public Awareness of and education on an affordable basis are invited to Sciences and Technology’. Photo cover by Sebastiaan Donders, www.TrX-digital.com, www.fallen-serenity.com subscribe to the Living Knowledge network. Layout by Norbert Steinhaus, www.wilabonn.de Living Knowledge – Breaking out of Living Knowledge – Tools and Infrastructures local conditions The dialogue between society and science needs to be a two-way street where all listen as much as they talk. The dia- Science Shops and similar organisations in logue between the public on the one side and researchers and experts on the other side will be more promising, when Community Based Research (CBR) in general are the public is able to discuss „science/society“ issues in full knowledge and understanding of scientific „facts“, and of small and local entities, bound to local conditions. the way in which research operates in practical terms. Sharing the expertise of Science Shops advances citizens’ ability They are highly diverse in respect to organisational to participate in the dialogue between science and society. The Living Knowledge Network’s activities focus on differ- structure, focus and funding. ent levels, ranging from strategic networking to training of individual skills and from information to mentoring of old and new Science Shop practioners. A summer school focussing on new Science Shop initiatives is of the offered tools. A network alllows for breaking out of the local. Facilitating collaboration and cooperation broadens the base of knowledge and experience. Living Discussion Group, Database and Website Magazine and Newsletter Knowledge focusses on strategic issues and is active within political settings. The Living Knowledge News and Discussion Group The magazine “Living keeps subscribers informed about developments Knowledge - Journal of related to “Building partnerships for public access to Community Based Re- research” and the international network of Science search” carries information Shops. It is an open and free internet mailing list. at regular intervals about All subscribers can contribute at any time with any issues relating to the vari- frequency. There is no moderator. ous facets of Science Shop work. It is one of the infrastructure tools for communica- The Living Knowledge Database is a free, public tion within the Living Knowledge network. It publishes a accessible resource for science shops, community- combination of news, reviews and discussion of science based organisations, universities and funders world- shop research methods, results and impacts. It is tar- wide. It is the only online resource that brings geted to science shops and science shop staff, as well as together information on the science shops and similar working organisations and scientists interested in community-based research activities from around community based research. This structural activity for the the world. Subscribers to the Living Knowledge expanding network is complemented by an electroni- International Networking Database can enter their own information and search cally newsletter. for organisations, people and (thematic) expertise The European Commission encourages the in community based research all over the world. The Projects and Conferences implementation of an international Science Shop database is moderated. network, supporting the development of structures Two international conferences, 2001 in Leuven, and tools for the dissemination of the work of The network website, Belgium, and 2005 in Seville, Spain, and several Science Shops. www.livingknowledge.org, international cooperation projects have been gives access to all tools indispensable milestones for the development of A network is a flow that moves with the contribution of of the network. It offers the Living Knowledge Network. Find out more about its members. Let us raise the awareness of scientists background information, SCIPAS, interacts and ISSNET or other projects, such as and policy makers of (research) issues – in Europe news, reports and access to TRAMS (Training and Mentoring of Science Shops) on and worldwide – that are of concern to the public. archives. the Living Knowledge website..