Jülich Citizen Science Center for Energy - Shaping science together!
What is our mission?
The Jülich Citizen Science Center for Energy is a non-commercial project that aims to promote the exchange between science and society on future energy systems. Through citizen science, we offer all interested parties the opportunity to participate in current research projects as citizen scientists, to get to know scientific methods and to develop them further. We are also looking for participants for experiments, group discussions and other social science studies. The knowledge gained helps to develop scientifically sound recommendations for action for decision-makers in politics and business.
What do we offer?
- Participation projects: Become part of exciting research projects in the field of energy system analysis. Exchange ideas with scientists and other citizens to shape research together.
- Various research projects: The activities focus both on content-related questions (e.g., What do you think our energy system of the future should look like?) and on methodological aspects (e.g., How can we improve the quality of surveys?).
- Various event formats: Depending on requirements, we rely on formats such as focus groups, world cafés, citizen dialogs or individual interviews to actively and meaningfully involve our citizen scientists. Our events take place either in the traditional on-site format (e.g., in Jülich, Düren, Cologne, Aachen) or online in a virtual space.
- Reimbursement of expenses: We pay you an expense allowance for your participation in our events.
Citizen scientists and participants for experiments, interviews or other social science studies. You should be at least 18 years old and be able to communicate well in German (at least language level B1) - regardless of whether you support, oppose or are neutral about the energy transition.
We would be delighted if you support social science research by taking part. Together we can achieve great things!
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Hawal Shamon by e-mail (h.shamon@fz-juelich.de) or telephone (+49 160 92172835).
What is citizen science?
The term "citizen science" refers to the active participation of citizens in scientific research processes. Citizen scientists contribute their perspectives and knowledge and help to make science more practical and relevant. This involves not only collecting and analyzing data, but also the joint development of research questions and the interpretation of results.
Why do we need a Jülich Citizen Science Center for Energy?
Jülich Systems Analysis (ICE-2) conducts unbiased research into possible future energy systems in the context of the energy transition. This is done using an interdisciplinary approach that takes into account the networking of energy technologies with economic, ecological and social systems and thus places security of supply, economic efficiency, social acceptance and environmental protection at the center of the scientific analyses.
The energy transition is associated with far-reaching changes that are likely to affect the population directly or indirectly. At the very least, the population will be required to accept changes in their living environment, such as the new wind turbine on their doorstep. However, the population is sometimes also expected to make a much greater contribution by investing in renewable technologies and/or adapting their lifestyle to a renewable energy supply and an extensive circular economy.
Against this background, it is crucial to involve citizens in research into possible future energy systems at an early stage. The non-commercial Jülich Citizen Science Center for Energy offers a platform where interested parties - regardless of their educational background and attitude towards the energy transition - can actively participate in the scientific research process. This can be done either as a citizen scientist or as a participant in experiments, interviews and other social science studies.