Science Shops

Science shops are outreach offices at research institutions where civil society organizations (CSOs) can commission research that is relevant to local problems. The name “science shop” is a literal translation of the Dutch word wetensc-hapswinkel. However, it is not a regular shop, and it is not concerned with natural sciences only, but also with social sciences and humanities (in Dutch, both are wetenschap). Sometimes other names are [Page 734]used, such as knowledge point, community knowledge exchange, community-based research center, community–university partnership, interchange, and so on.

The best definition of a science shop is the one provided on the Web site of the Living Knowledge international science shop network, which defines a science shop as an organization that “provides independent, participatory research support” to issues and concerns raised by members of society. The “shop” provides research support only (or support directly based on research, such as educational projects), not other voluntary community work. The research support given is both independent (science aims to be objective) and participatory (the research is applicable in the context in which it is being developed, and knowledge drawn from the CSO is used in the project).

Thus, knowledge is shared and new knowledge is created cooperatively. Science shops “provide” and do not “sell,” so they work for CSOs without financial barriers. Finally, science shops do research based on actual concerns arising outside of science, not on questions of pure curiosity or those arising from commercial interests—there are many other facilities for those—as these concerns are experienced and expressed by groups in civil society.

Article 27 (1) of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights (1948) states as a right that all people should be able to “participate in the cultural life” of their community, involving both enjoyment of the arts and access to the benefits of scientific advancement. One way to achieve this is through an interactive communication on scientific research that considers which research should be done and how its results will be beneficial to the community. Science shops are one good form of practice for accomplishing this.