Ten years ago, the MAP research unit initiated a research programme called Territographie (in collaboration with the MUCEM). With that programme the laboratory wanted to better weigh the extent to which citizen-generated data could help to document and understand the so-called ‘minor’ heritage. The aim of the research programme was to highlight and analyse citizens’ initiatives and ultimately to better defend their added-value. The programme highlighted the wide variety of social players involved at local level (both in terms of “status” and density), but also the very wide range of motivations and data produced.

Following on from this seminal experiment, the laboratory has decided to set up a “citizen science” prospective workshop so as to continue the methodological work already underway and, more broadly, to take a pragmatic look at the relationship between science and society, which should in our view not be limited to a one-way dissemination of scientific knowledge to society.