Citizen Science: An approach to engage the public and co-develop novel research questions

October 06, 2023

Speaker

Dr. Codie Primeau, postdoctoral fellow, Arthritis Research Canada and University of British Columbia

Health researchers typically rely on input from other researchers, clinicians and academic literature when designing their research. This traditional approach overlooks valuable contributions from patients and the wider public. The consequence of this is that people with lived experience, especially those from frequently underrepresented communities, have little say in what research questions are asked and prioritized. Enter Citizen Science: an approach to health research that promotes research co-creation to address community needs.

In this webinar, Dr. Codie Primeau will introduce Citizen Science, an innovative approach that actively involves members of the public through multiple stages of the research process. Codie will explain how the approach supports researchers and the public in co-designing novel research questions.

The primary focus of this webinar will center around Codie’s demonstration project, which uses an online Citizen Science platform to engage with the public and guide the co-development and co-prioritization of research questions and priorities meaningful to individuals from 2SLGBTQIA+ communities who experience chronic pain.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to engage in a conversation about making research more inclusive and community driven.

After this webinar, the audience will be able to:

  • Understand how Citizen Science can enhance public engagement in health research.
  • Learn how Citizen Science can actively involve patients and the public in co-creating research questions that are important for the communities they impact.
  • Discuss how Citizen Science has the potential to revolutionize traditional research practices, break down barriers to inclusivity in research, and support participation from diverse populations that have often been underrepresented in research.

Speaker

Dr. Codie Primeau (he/him) is a postdoctoral fellow at Arthritis Research Canada and the University of British Columbia, supported by a Michael Smith Health Research BC Research Trainee Award. He completed a combined MPT (clinical physiotherapy) and PhD in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences from Western University, with research interests spanning osteoarthritis, physiotherapy, orthopedics, health economics, and 2SLGBTQIA+ health. His graduate studies focused on clinical trials and observational research, evaluating interventions for knee osteoarthritis. He also completed work focused on evaluating health education and inclusion for physiotherapists when working with 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals. His postdoctoral work uses an online platform rooted in principles of Citizen Science to engage with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and work collaboratively to co-develop research priorities related to pain. This work includes fostering collaborative research aligned with the needs and perspectives of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

Resources

Upcoming webinar

Dr. Linda Li, Gayle Scarrow and Dr. Stirling Bryan

Date

February 28, 2025

Open science in health research: lessons learned and reflections on the path forward for B.C.

In 2024, KT Connects focused on open science — the practice of making scientific knowledge, resources and processes accessible to all with minimal barriers. Learn more.

Webinar summary

Friday, February 28 

12 – 1 p.m. PST 

Open science is transforming the way health research is conducted, shared and applied to real-world challenges. In this final session in KT Connects’ open science webinar series, we will highlight key insights from this past year’s webinars.

The session will begin with a summary of the lessons learned, including:

  • the nature and purpose of open science,
  • its role in more equitable research systems,
  • its connections to knowledge translation and community engagement research, and
  • opportunities and challenges for research funding and evaluation.

An expert roundtable and audience Q&A with health researchers, knowledge translation experts and funders will follow, exploring what these insights could mean for open science in B.C.

Learning objectives

After this webinar, the audience will be able to:

  1. Understand key themes and insights from the KT Connects open science webinar series and their relevance to B.C.’s health research system.
  2. Discuss the role of knowledge translation, engagement research, research funding and policy in advancing open science practices based on national and international frameworks and recommendations.
  3. Engage in discussion on how open science can create a more equitable and impactful health research system in B.C.

 

Speaker’s bio:

Dr. Linda Li is a Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of British Columbia, holding the Harold Robinson/Arthritis Society Chair in Arthritic Diseases. She also serves as the Scientific Director for the BC SUPPORT Unit at Michael Smith Health Research BC and is a Senior Scientist at Arthritis Research Canada. Her research focuses on integrating digital tools, such as wearable technology and mobile apps, to support health professionals in promoting a healthy balance of physical activity and sleep for managing chronic diseases. Dr. Li has completed a Canada Research Chair in Patient-oriented Knowledge Translation and is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences.

Gayle Scarrow is the Director of Knowledge Translation at Michael Smith Health Research BC. In this role, she leads the development, implementation and evaluation of knowledge translation initiatives. Her aim is to bridge the gap between research evidence and health care practice. Her work focuses on facilitating the application of research findings to improve health outcomes and inform policy decisions.

Dr. Stirling Bryan is the Chief Scientific Officer at Michael Smith Health Research BC. He is a health economist with extensive experience engaging with health policy and decision-making. He began his career in the UK, holding positions at St Thomas’ Hospital Medical School, Brunel University, and the University of Birmingham. In 2008, he joined the University of British Columbia as a Professor in the School of Population and Public Health and served as Director of the Centre for Clinical Epidemiology & Evaluation. Dr. Bryan is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences and currently serves as President for the Canadian Association for Health Services & Policy Research.