Citizen Science Hub De BRUG

One of the funded initiatives is De BRUG – short for Diversiteit in Burgerwetenschap: Regionale UitwisselinG – a collaboration between Radboud University, Radboud university medical center, Avans University of Applied Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht UMC+, and the Open University of the Netherlands, along with their societal partners.

De BRUG focuses on increasing diversity and inclusion in citizen science, particularly among groups who are currently underrepresented. By promoting active participation across disciplines and sharing strategies for inclusive engagement, the hub aims to broaden access to science. With a strong regional focus on the south of the Netherlands, De BRUG connects researchers and citizens around key societal themes such as nature and environment, health and well-being, and cultural heritage.

Through this initiative, De BRUG enhances the impact, inclusivity, and visibility of citizen science, building bridges between academia and society.

Within the University Library, Melissa Prinz was part of the writing team and will also represent Maastricht University in the implementation of the Citizen Science Hub De BRUG. Behind the scenes, Dennie Hebels and Mariëlle Prevoo contributed in their roles related to Open Science.

About citizen science

Open Science NL strives for an open academic culture, one that includes collaboration with society. In line with the UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science, the goal is to make the processes of creating, evaluating, and communicating scientific knowledge accessible to actors beyond the traditional academic community.

Citizen science is a key example of this approach. It involves members of the public actively participating in scientific research, in partnership with researchers from academic institutions. This collaboration can take place at various stages of the research process. The aim is to generate new scientific knowledge and insights while also strengthening the dialogue between science, society, and policy.