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Rowbotham S, Walker P, Marks L, Irving M, Smith BJ, Laird Y. Building capacity for citizen science in health promotion: a collaborative knowledge mobilisation approach. RESEARCH INVOLVEMENT AND ENGAGEMENT 2023; 9:36. [PMID: 37254184 DOI: 10.1186/s40900-023-00451-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Policymakers and practitioners in health promotion (e.g. those working for local, state or federal government organisations or community and non-government organisations with a focus on health and wellbeing) are increasingly interested in citizen science as a means of involving the public in research and decision making. The potential benefits of citizen science approaches in health promotion include increased research capacity, incorporation of community perspectives on problems and solutions, and improved public awareness and acceptance of actions to improve health. However, health promotion practitioners and policymakers report having limited familiarity and experience with citizen science and a desire to build their capacity in these approaches. The Citizen Science in Prevention (CSP) project aims to build capacity for citizen science in health promotion by: 1) supporting the development and implementation of citizen science projects by policymakers and practitioners, 2) establishing a network of health promotion stakeholders with familiarity and interest in citizen science approaches, and 3) co-designing resources to support the use of citizen science in policy and practice contexts. A comprehensive mixed methods evaluation will establish the reach, satisfaction, and impacts that can be attributed to the capacity building intervention. This paper describes the first known initiative to build capacity in the application of citizen science approaches in health promotion and we hope that this work will assist others in the development and implementation of capacity building activities for citizen science in health promotion and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Rowbotham
- Menzies Centre for Health Policy and Economics, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre, The Sax Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Pippy Walker
- Menzies Centre for Health Policy and Economics, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
- The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre, The Sax Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Leah Marks
- Menzies Centre for Health Policy and Economics, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre, The Sax Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Michelle Irving
- Menzies Centre for Health Policy and Economics, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre, The Sax Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ben J Smith
- The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre, The Sax Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Prevention Research Collaboration, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Yvonne Laird
- The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre, The Sax Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Prevention Research Collaboration, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Eckstein L, McWhirter R, Stewart C. Better Mechanisms Are Needed to Oversee HREC Reviews. Public Health Ethics 2022; 15:200-203. [DOI: 10.1093/phe/phac010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Hawe et al. raise concerns about Human Research Ethics Committees (HRECs) taking a risk-averse and litigation-sensitive approach to ethical review of research proposals. HRECs are tasked with reviewing proposals for compliance with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research for the purpose of promoting the welfare of participants. While these guidelines intentionally include a significant degree of discretion in HREC decision making, there is also evidence that HRECs sometimes request changes that go beyond the guidance provided by the National Statement. When HRECs request changes outside their remit, inconsistencies between individual HRECs become more common, contributing to delays in ethical review and reducing the quality of HREC decision making. Improvements to the HREC regulatory system are needed to promote transparency and accountability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Eckstein
- Faculty of Law, College of Arts, Law and Education, University of Tasmania , Australia
- Bellberry Ltd , Eastwood SA , Australia
| | - Rebekah McWhirter
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health, Deakin University , Australia
| | - Cameron Stewart
- Sydney Health Law, Sydney Law School, University of Sydney , Australia
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