Science Shops
An opportunity for NZ to join the EU's international network of community-based participatory research units

Who asks the questions that become research projects?

Often, business or government are setting these questions. So what about the rest of society?

Science Shops are a way for citizens and groups such as NGOs and SMEs to set research questions, be involved in both the process and the application of new knowledge. The Shops are staffed by qualified researchers and the services are free, at low cost or on a sliding scale.

Researchers. experienced or students, find this approach exciting and relevant. This work can become an extension to a career path or an equally valid alternative..

The EU Commission is encouraging the spread of science shops throughout Europe and beyond.

In August 2006, I had a scholarship to attend the Science Shops Training Course at the Summer School of Utrecht University Netherlands.

I believe Science Shops could be very useful in New Zealand. There are organizational models which could be adapted for New Zealand context. Once the shops are started, there is also a large international network of support on which New Zealand can draw.

"Starting Science Shops in NZ " presentation to EU Centre Network Conference 10 Nov 2006 (here is the transcript as PDF, powerpoint slides as zip file and audio/MP3 file free to use in part or complete but with full acknowlegement and no changes made)

Article about Science Shop Course and the NZ context (guest blog on Russel Brown's Public Address Sept 2006)

Article about usefulness of science shops in NZ (The Weka of New Zealand blog Nov 2005)

Short Summary of Science Shops: history, models & projects

Living Knowledge: the EU website of science shops

Some of the workshop team are interested in projects (both research and media) which promote science shops internationally. For more information, please email me.

Want to know more?

Community-based research:
from Randy Stoecker's new book Research Methods for Community Change.

Science Shop Task Force Report University of Victoria, Canada courtesy Budd Hall

Update A: NZ Efforts: 29 Nov 06
Update B: Progress: Jan 2007

Starting science shops in NZ:
I am available for discussions, presentations, meetings and consultations. To arrange a meeting, please email me.