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

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.