Overview of open engagement
An important aspect of open science is bringing the scientific process closer to society and its citizens. Research makes use of a range of approaches and forms for public involvement, dialogue, and collaboration. These are referred to, for instance, as citizen science, user participation, co-creation, and on-going evaluation and research.
Open engagement of societal actors is about opening the research process to people, groups, and organisations beyond the academic community. This can include various actors who are affected by research, contribute to it, or use its result, such as
- citizens
- local communities
- civil society organisations
- public-sector actors
- practitioners
- entrepreneurs
- cultural organisations.
The aim is not only to communicate research results more widely, but also to create opportunities for broader participation in how research questions are shaped, how knowledge is produced, and how results are interpreted and used.
This area of open science includes a broad range of collaborations. Some are initiated by researchers or institutions; others are driven by communities, public authorities, or organisations outside academia. Examples include citizen science, participatory action research, and on-going evaluation and research. In some cases, societal actors contribute observations, data, or practical expertise; in others, they help define the research problem, take part in analysis, or contribute to solutions.
Open engagement can strengthen the quality and relevance of research by including forms of knowledge that are not always available within academic environments. Local knowledge, professional experience, lived experience, and community-based expertise can help researchers ask better questions, reach new contexts, and understand how research relates to real-world needs. At the same time, participation can strengthen research literacy, support informed decision-making, and build trust between research institutions and society.
Not all research must involve societal actors in the same way. The appropriate form of engagement depends on the research field, method, ethical considerations, and the groups involved. Meaningful engagement requires time, resources, clear expectations, accessible communication, and attention to power relations, data governance, and responsibility. For universities and research organisations, this means that open engagement is as much a question of research design, training, and recognition as it is a communication task.
The information on this page is based on Engaging societal actors in open science in the UNESCO Open Science Toolkit.