1. “Challenging but worth it!” : the purpose of participatory research in urban health, an evaluation and derived frameworkMaria Alejandra Rubio, Rok Novak, Laura Hidalgo, Jill Litt, Don Slater, David Kocman, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: Participatory approaches are becoming paramount to harness the relationship between researchers, government, industry, and civil society to inform programs and policies. However, variability in implementation and limited standardized reporting hinder the systematic evaluation of their effectiveness. This study characterizes participatory methodologies in urban health research and proposes a framework for evaluating and reporting such approaches. Using an explanatory sequential design, this study evaluated 20 participatory pilot studies from the Urban Health Cluster (Horizon 2020 European Commission Programme), combining survey data and semi-structured interviews with project leads. The analysis identified four primary purposes for participatory methods: to assess health-environment correlations; raise awareness; co-create interventions; and assess health-related effects. Case studies exemplify each of these purposes. Findings informed a “purpose framework” nested within a theory-of-change model, which clarifies the rationale behind participatory approaches and maps their processes and intended impacts. The framework includes indicators for purpose, stakeholder involvement, participation mechanisms, facilitators, challenges, expected outcomes, and evaluation strategies, reported across all 20 projects. Public authorities (90 %) and civil society (85 %) are the most frequently engaged stakeholders, typically involved during project identification and deployment. Engagement was facilitated by shared motivation to address local needs, while long-term commitment posed challenges. Our results highlight the limited use of theory-of-change models in current practice and the value of structured frameworks for enhancing the reproducibility and transformative impact of participatory urban health research. The proposed framework can help align participatory methods with a theory of change and foster more effective urban health transformations.
Keywords: participatory research, public engagement, standardized reporting, urban health
Published in DiRROS: 03.12.2025; Views: 424; Downloads: 87
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2. What makes me happy and what worries me? A crossnational comparison of stressors and resources for stress relief among youthMichaela Wright, Franziska Reitegger, Manja Veldin, Maša Vidmar, Katarzyina Borzucka-Sitkiewicz, Marcin Gierczyk, Katarzyna Kowalczewska-Grabowska, Barbara Gasteiger-Klicpera, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Numerous evidence-based programs aim to promote youth mental health. Unfortunately, however, they often fail to engage the target group and lack cultural sensitivity. The present study addresses these issues by using a participatory approach to look at variations of stressors and resources for stress relief among students (12-15 years) in three European countries. Two participatory workshops were conducted in three schools in Austria, Poland and Slovenia, with a total of 81 students participating in the first workshop, and 83 in the second. This study presents the findings derived from two distinct participatory activities wherein participants reported their stressors (Relevant Topics activity) and resources (Photovoice activity). Overall, the study revealed remarkable similarities in stressors and resources across the three countries, but differences were also identified. Stressors relating to interpersonal relationships, school, and self-concept were common themes. While concerns regarding health, future, and global issues were less frequently mentioned, they remained persistent across all countries, an indication of their growing relevance amid today’s multiple crises. Animals, sports, and relationships emerged as the most frequently reported resources. Creative arts and expression, music, and calm activities like reading, and spending time in nature were also frequently cited. Notably, engagement with digital devices or social media emerged neither as a common stressor nor as a notable personal resource. The findings will be used to inform the content development of a culturally sensitive digital mental health promotion program, covering salient topics comprehensively while ensuring diversity awareness.
Keywords: education, participatory research, photovoice, youth, stressors, resources, mental health
Published in DiRROS: 27.01.2025; Views: 776; Downloads: 454
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3. Ethical dilemmas when using citizen science for early detection of invasive tree pests and diseasesMichael J.O. Pocock, Mariella Marzano, Erin Bullas-Appleton, Alison Dyke, Maarten De Groot, Craig Shuttleworth, Rehema White, 2020, original scientific article Abstract: The early detection of tree health pests and disease is an important component of biosecurity to protect the aesthetic, recreational and economic importance of trees, woodlands and forestry. Citizen science is valuable in supporting the early detection of tree pests and diseases. Different stakeholders (government, business, society and individual) will vary in their opinion of the balance between costs and benefits of early detection and consequent management, partly because many costs are local whereas benefits are felt at larger scales. This can create clashes in motivations of those involved in citizen science, thus leading to ethical dilemmas about what is good and responsible conduct for the use of citizen science. We draw on our experience of tree health citizen science to exemplify five dilemmas. These dilemmas arise because: the consequences of detection may locally be severe (e.g. the destruction of trees); knowledge of these impacts could lead to refusal to make citizen science reports; citizen science reports can be made freely, but can be costly to respond to; participants may expect solutions even if these are not possible; and early detection is (by definition) a rare event. Effective engagement and dialogue across stakeholders, including public stakeholders, is important to properly address these issues. This is vital to ensure the public%s long-term support for and trust in the use of citizen science for the early detection of tree pests and diseases.
Keywords: alien species, volunteer, eradication, participatory research
Published in DiRROS: 14.12.2020; Views: 2275; Downloads: 1086
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