Science for Progress

because science is fundamental in the 21st century

SfProcur Curator April 30 – May 5: Susanne Tönsmann – @pwa_zurich

Dr. Susanne Tönsmann is managing director of the Participatory Science Academy in Zurich, Switzerland.

There, Susanne provides scientists and non-scientist citizens with the knowledge and training they need to efficiently work together. The core idea behind their work is to have citizens play an active role in science, rather than just paying for it via their taxes. Susanne and their colleagues are trying different methods and formats to make that happen. This job provides a wonderful opportunity to engage the public (“whoever that is”) and to make science more relevant to the many problems that the world faces today.

Susanne thinks that science, scientists and universities have a responsibility to solve real world problems; this should not be a side effect of research, but at the core. However, researchers in academia are mostly rewarded for publications and acquired grant money.

During their week at @SfPRocur, Susanne will discuss how the academic merit system can get in the way of that responsibility, and what could be done to improve things.

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about Susan Leemburg

Susan received her PhD in neuroscience in 2011 in Zurich, Switzerland. She worked as a postdoctoral researcher until 2017 and is currently looking for the next adventure.

SfPRocur curator April 23 – 28: Fanny Gutsche-Jones – @CitSciZurich

Dr. phil. des. Fanny Gutsche-Jones is Community Manager at the Citizen Science Center Zürich in Switzerland, where she works to tear down barriers between academia and the rest of society. The Citizen Science Center promotes real collaboration between academics and other members of society; not just increased dialogue between the two.

Fanny thinks that anybody should be able to do research about questions that interest them. “Contributing to that in a position where I am at the intersection between academics and non-professional researchers, or those who will become ones, is very exciting and fulfilling.”

In her week at @SfPRocur, Fanny will tweet about ongoing citizen science projects and about the potential for change that comes from public participation in knowledge production.

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about Susan Leemburg

Susan received her PhD in neuroscience in 2011 in Zurich, Switzerland. She worked as a postdoctoral researcher until 2017 and is currently looking for the next adventure.