"Citizen Science and New Rurality" Conference, promoted by CSIC
Description
The "Citizen Science and New Rurality" conference is born from the collaboration between the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) , El Hueco , the Oxígeno Foundation and the Tierras Sorianas del Cid Association , with the aim of bringing citizen science closer to rural areas and showing its potential as a tool for social, environmental and economic transformation.
The meeting, which will take place on February 13, 2026, at the CSIC headquarters on Serrano Street in Madrid, will explore how the direct involvement of citizens, local groups, and institutions can generate useful knowledge, strengthen social cohesion, and contribute to sustainable development based on scientific evidence. The event also aims to highlight initiatives that are already transforming rural communities into vibrant hubs of learning, experimentation, and innovation, while fostering dialogue between the scientific community and rural society to define new avenues for collaboration.
The program will begin with an institutional opening by Eloísa del Pino , president of the CSIC (Spanish National Research Council), Roberto Lozano , president of the Spanish Committee of the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), and Joaquín Alcalde , director of El Hueco and the NGO Cives Mundi. Following this, Pura Fernández , deputy vice president for Scientific Culture and Citizen Science at the CSIC, will deliver the opening lecture entitled "The CSIC and Citizen Science: Research Open to the Territory."
During the morning, various experiences promoted from the territory will be presented, such as Science in the Village , RURARQ , Espiciencia , Raimat , Plastic Pirates rivers and La mar de Limpio or Cultural Landscape , by researchers, disseminators and professionals linked to participatory science, environmental education, archaeology, biotechnology or sustainability.
After a break, the panel "Connecting Science and Citizenship" will bring together journalists, scientists, and representatives from the education sector to reflect on the role of communication and education in citizen science. The day will conclude with the final discussion , "From Science to Rural Action," focusing on generational renewal, sustainability, and knowledge transfer to the local area, followed by closing remarks and the announcement of next steps.
Participation in the event is free, but prior registration is required.