"Silos" in the Democratization of Science

Abstract

Efforts aimed at democratizing science continue to emerge, but these many efforts remain isolated from each other. This article argues that the full impact of democratization efforts will not be felt until they are integrated with each other. Two strategies for integration are proposed: a typology approach and a generative strategy. Uses of such strategies in other areas have been successful and offer pathways for coordinating science efforts. The article ends with recommendations for how such strategies could be pursued to integrate promising but dispersed democratization of science efforts such as citizen science, community based participatory research, participatory action research, and public participation in scientific research.