Citizen Science is becoming an increasingly important part of the research landscape. It offers an innovative way to engage the public in scientific projects at every stage of the research process, from defining research questions and collecting and analysing data to communicating results and sharing knowledge.
Whether you are a student, researcher, educator, or work in a cultural heritage institution or a non-profit organisation, you can involve volunteers in the research process and benefit from a mutually rewarding collaboration. The Citizen Science Summer School, taking place on 7–11 September 2026 in Smolenice, Slovakia, is designed for anyone interested in exploring this approach.
This unique training and networking event is jointly organised by the Centre of Scientific and Technical Information of the Slovak Republic (CVTI SR), the Central Library of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, and the Institute of Geonics of the Czech Academy of Sciences. The programme includes lectures and presentations by Citizen Science practitioners, as well as hands-on activities such as field excursions, a mapathon, demonstrations of tools and applications, and a workshop built around a model project. Participants will learn about participatory research methods, science communication, educational approaches, and data collection for evidence-based decision-making. Speakers include Barbora Duží (Institute of Geonics of the Czech Academy of Sciences), Jakub Trojan (Tomas Bata University in Zlín), and Zuzana Stožická (CVTI SR). On 9 September, the programme will also feature the inaugural meeting of the Czech and Slovak Citizen Science Platform.
The participation fee is EUR 150 and includes accommodation and meals. It has been set at an affordable level to enable participation by the widest possible audience.
During the Researchers’ Night at the Faculty of Informatics, Masaryk University, the Open Science and CERIT-SC teams will show how data have evolved over time, what they can reveal about us, how to share them safely, and how artificial intelligence works with them.
We warmly invite everyone involved in research—not only at Masaryk University—to the next edition of the traditional Open Science Workshop, which will take place on 5 June 2026.
