Building Bridges Between Science and Society: Advancing Science with Patients and Citizens

Welcome to this immersive one-day programme dedicated to exploring and advancing Participatory Research in health research. Organised by the Science with Society (SwS) Hub at ISGlobal, in collaboration with IDIBAPS, this event is designed to bridge the gap between academic research, healthcare systems, and civil society.

In recent years, the paradigm of health research has undergone an interesting shift, moving from a traditional top-down approach to one that aims to actively engage patients, citizens, and communities as co-creators of knowledge.

This participatory model democratises science and enhances the relevance, impact, and sustainability of health research. However, the transition from aspiration to systemic change presents complex institutional, methodological and practical challenges. This workshop offers a comprehensive journey from theory to practice, structured around broad disciplinary areas rather than siloed methodologies. We will have expert presentations across global health, environmental, clinical, and translational research, as well as interactive World Café sessions, where participants will collectively explore the opportunities, barriers, ethical considerations, and institutional conditions required for meaningful participatory research. The insights generated throughout the day will inform the development of an institutional position paper, outlining shared principles, priorities, and practical recommendations for embedding participatory approaches across the health research ecosystem.

Whether you are a researcher, community advocate, patient, or policy maker, this event provides a unique platform to learn from inspiring practices, share insights and build synergies. We aim to leave participants with the understanding that health research should not only be conducted for society, but also in partnership with it.

REGISTER NOW

Registration is open to staff from all research centres. Places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to staff from ISGlobal and IDIBAPS, followed by researchers from CRACS centres. Applications from other centres will be accepted subject to availability.

Speakers

• Vincent Dumez, Former Co-Director, Centre of Excellence on Partnership with Patients and the Public (CEPPP); and Former Co-Director, Patient Collaboration and Partnership Directorate, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal (Canada)
• Dra. Rosa Arias, Director, Science for Change
• Dr. Danielle Marie Agnello, post-doc researcher, University of Copenhagen
• Dr. Sandra Condori, ISALA Sisterhood Manager at the University of Antwerp

With the support of the Centre of Excellence Severo Ochoa Programme (CEX 2023-001290-S) funded by MCIN/AEI/ 10.13039/501100011033.