Redefining the role of science and knowledge in complex socio-ecological issues

Science is today at the center of complex socio-ecological challenges, characterized by a large number of variables, perspectives and numerous interests at stake. In these issues, science often is being asked for clear-cut, neutral, objective answers on which to base irrefutable political decisions. Each of us experiences every day, however, that this model of "pure science" is not fully working and that the advancement of scientific research is shaken by uncertainty, misunderstandings, forced interpretations, claims by society to have part in the discussion. If each output depends on the variables included in the model, what are the dimensions that should be addressed within any scientific discussion? Must specialized disciplinary research proceed autonomously or must it not neglect the requests of other disciplines, of society, of the territory? Citizen Science and transdisciplinary research offer meeting grounds for the needs for dialogue and renewal that come from both the scientific community and society. Citizen Science not only impacts on civil society participants but also on researchers and on their way of approaching scientific work. This is all the more true the more deeply the social actors are involved in the knowledge creation process. The social research project BRIDGES has taken up the challenge and tries to embrace the complexity, the stratification and plurality of knowledge, right from the structuring of the research process. During the project, the impacts of this "encounter" both on the scientific community and on the network of local expertise are experienced, empowering an hybrid and transdisciplinary form of Citizen Science.