Author: Michaela Shields

The most readily sustainable model of a Science Shop has the universities provide direct financial support. The Science Shop staff can be dedicated Science Shop staff or can be scientific staff, who are conducting part of their teaching and research in the Science Shop.

There isn’t a single job description. The main activity of a university-based Science Shop coordinator is related to the mediation process. In general it is important a coordinator has good communication skills, understanding of processes in scientific research and a good network in the university and in the community.

The basic requirements for a Science Shop are a demand for research, supply of research capacity, staff to mediate and link both, and last but not least a roof over your head.

Requests usually don’t match one on one with research proposals. It is important to have a good “articulation phase”, in which you try to map the real issue for your client, and identify context and possible stakeholders. Also check what information your partner has or can make available.

Science Shops work in general for those that would otherwise not have access to scientific research. These are in general grassroots organisations and NGOs.

Science Shops define themselves as a ‘unit that provides independent, participatory research support in response to concerns experienced by civil society‘. For the most part, these units belong to universities, though some are organised as separate NGOs or non-for-profit companies. Science Shops combine research (and teaching where applicable) with service to society.