Why is it so hard to do co-created citizen social science? Reflecting on challenges and potential solutions

Citizen science (CS), which integrates the public into research processes, has been shown to enhance public understanding of science. Consequently, CS is increasingly employed across various disciplines, including the social sciences. In citizen social science (CSS) projects, citizen involvement typically extends beyond data collection, encompassing multiple stages of the research process-from conceptualization to data analysis. Despite the growing scholarly enthusiasm for CSS, this essay highlights key methodological and practical challenges associated with such co-created CSS initiatives. Using a systematic review of recent literature, we identify challenges across all consecutive steps of the research process involving co-creation. We conclude by advocating for a more nuanced perspective on CSS, emphasizing the need for a heightened awareness of these challenges.