BRIDGING ACADEMIA AND SOCIETY: INSIGHTS FOR CITIZEN SCIENCE AND INNOVATIVE PHD PROGRAM DESIGN

The principal objective of this study is to collate comprehensive insights from a diverse range of professional sectors, including academia, business, government, and civil society.This will enable the identification of critical themes and priorities that should inform future research initiatives.To this end, a structured questionnaire was developed as the principal instrument for data collection, crafted with great care to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the diverse perspectives of stakeholders.The questionnaire is composed of four sections.The first section provides general information about the survey, the second section gathers respondent sociodemographic data, the third section explores views on citizen science, and the final section solicits input on doctoral programs.A key focus of the study is on the public's and professionals' perceptions of citizen science, particularly its role in fostering collaboration between researchers and communities and its potential integration into doctoral curricula.The study thus seeks to gain a deeper understanding of these perspectives to identify the opportunities and challenges involved in aligning research priorities with the real-world needs of civil society.This focus is driven by the recognition that citizen science represents an important mechanism for democratizing knowledge production and addressing complex societal challenges through participatory research.The findings from this investigation will directly inform the ongoing collaborative effort to design a PhD program in Digital Communication, an initiative spearheaded by the University of Algarve and Santarm Polytechnic University.The program is envisioned as a multidisciplinary and innovative academic offering that incorporates both academic and non-academic dimensions.By soliciting feedback on the program's title, objectives, structure, and research priorities, the study guarantees that its design will align with the requirements of a diverse range of stakeholders and respond to the demands of a rapidly evolving digital communication landscape.The study's broader impact can be seen in its potential to shape a new paradigm in doctoral education, one that prioritizes inclusivity, innovation, and societal relevance.The program aims to equip future researchers and professionals with the requisite skills and knowledge to address pressing issues in digital communication while fostering collaborative engagement with non-academic sectors through the incorporation of feedback from diverse respondents.In conclusion, the study contributes to the advancement of digital communication as a discipline, with the dual aim of strengthening academic rigor and enhancing the capacity of research to drive meaningful societal change.