✳️ We are pleased to introduce the External Advisory Board (EAB) of the RIECS-Concept project — a panel of outstanding experts who will contribute strategic guidance and insight throughout the project.
✳️ The EAB plays a vital role in shaping our direction and evaluating progress. Each member brings deep experience and a unique perspective to support our ambition of building a sustainable research infrastructure for excellent citizen science in Europe.
Here are the currently confirmed members:
⚫ Dr. François Grey
Director, SDG Solution Space; Vice-Dean for Studies, Geneva School of Economics and Management, University of Geneva.
→ François brings decades of experience in citizen science, collaborative research, and science-policy dialogue. His work spans knowledge transfer, participatory methodologies, and science communication across multiple international settings.
⚫ Dr. Eva Méndez
Director, Open Science Lab, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid
→ Eva is a leading expert in open science, FAIR data, and research data management, with strong experience in the digital transformation of research infrastructures, and has advised numerous European and international initiatives.
⚫ Dr. Greg Newman
Director, CitSci.org; Research Scientist, Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory, Colorado State University
→ Greg is a pioneer in cyber-infrastructure for participatory science, co-founding the CitSci.org platform. His research focuses on how participatory science contributes to conservation, co-creation, data usability, and public engagement with science.
⚫ Dr. Sven Schade
Scientific Project Leader, European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC)
→ Sven leads scientific work on digital governance and public service innovation at the JRC. His expertise includes spatial data infrastructures, citizen science, and data-driven public policy.
⚫ Dr. Katrin Vohland
Director General and Scientific CEO, Natural History Museum Vienna
→ Katrin is a recognised leader in citizen science, science-policy interfaces, and sustainability research.
→ She was instrumental in founding the German Citizen Science Platform and served as Managing Director of ECSA (2014–2018), promoting citizen science across Europe and beyond.
⚫ Dr. Alessia Smaniotto
Head of Department, OpenEdition – International Development Service
→ Alessia has extensive expertise in participatory infrastructure design.
→ She develops and coordinates platforms and infrastructures in several national and European contexts, such as the VERA hub and OPERAS, supporting participatory research involving the social sciences and humanities.
We welcome interest from other experts who may wish to support RIECS-Concept as it progresses.
We are deeply grateful to our Advisory Board members for contributing their time, experience, and vision to this initiative. Their insights will be key in helping us shape a robust and inclusive foundation for the future of citizen science in Europe.
Published: 205-07-01