Written answer
Research and Development
The MSCA, WIRE and EIC Advance events allow public participation but do not involve citizens collecting or analysing scientific data, so no datasets are expected. Their outputs will be reports, policy recommendations and networking, supporting citizen science indirectly by strengthening research policy, partnerships and public engagement.
4039. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 4157 and 4171 of 28 July 2026, in respect of each of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Conference, the Week of Innovative Regions in Europe and the European Innovation Council Advance event, whether members of the public could collect, classify, analyse or validate scientific data; the number expected to do so; the scientific output expected; for any event at which they will not, the basis on which it was cited as evidence of a strong focus on citizen science; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60663/26]
Comment on this
The OECD defines citizen science as the active engagement of citizens in scientific knowledge production and highlights its value as a research approach that can contribute to a wide range of scientific disciplines and policy objectives. The OECD also emphasises the important role of governments, research funders and research organisations in developing the policy frameworks, institutional supports and collaborative ecosystems that enable citizen science to thrive.
The OECD report highlights Horizon Europe as a significant international example of a research and innovation framework that promotes open science, stakeholder engagement and societal participation in research. In this context, the Marie Sk?odowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Presidency Conference, the Week of Innovative Regions in Europe (WIRE) and the European Innovation Council (EIC) Advance event form part of the wider Horizon Europe research and innovation ecosystem.
These conferences are open to participation by members of the public, subject to the relevant registration arrangements, and are intended to facilitate engagement between researchers, policymakers, innovators, civil society organisations and citizens on issues relating to research, innovation and societal challenges. The MSCA Conference will bring together researchers, policymakers, university leaders, government officials and industry representatives to discuss the future of research careers and European research policy, while WIRE 2026 will bring together policymakers, researchers, industry leaders, regional innovators and civil society organisations to discuss regional innovation, people and skills, competitiveness and resilience.
Members of the public attending these conferences are not expected, as part of the conference programmes themselves, to collect, classify, analyse or validate scientific data. Accordingly, no specific scientific datasets or research outputs arising from direct public participation are anticipated.
The principal outputs of the conferences are expected to include knowledge exchange, dissemination of research and innovation good practice, stakeholder engagement, networking and partnership development, and recommendations to inform future research and innovation policy. All three conferences listed, will generate a conference report and associated policy recommendations as primary outputs of the event.
These events were cited as evidence of a strong focus on citizen science not because they are citizen science projects in themselves, but because they contribute to the enabling environment for citizen science. Consistent with the OECD analysis, support for citizen science extends beyond individual projects involving direct citizen participation in data collection or analysis. It also includes supporting the policies, funding frameworks, networks, skills, partnerships and research cultures that enable citizens to engage meaningfully with research and innovation.
As Horizon Europe-related events, these conferences provide opportunities for researchers, policymakers, funding bodies, civil society organisations and citizens to exchange knowledge, discuss societal challenges, shape future research priorities and strengthen links between science and society. In doing so, they support the broader conditions that enable citizen participation in research and help ensure that research and innovation deliver tangible benefits for citizens and communities. This is consistent with the OECD's recommendations and Horizon Europe's approach to public engagement in research and innovation.