Citizen science (CS) is another way of conducting open science, and is a research approach which is becoming increasingly widespread. In CS projects volunteers are actively involved in the research process, for example by collecting samples or identifying objects.
By involving volunteers in data collection, researchers can access much larger volumes of data than they can procure on their own. Citizens can exert a greater influence on which research questions should be prioritised. Volunteers will feel personally involved in the topic of the project.
CS has gained attention in the decision-making circles. The expectation is that the method can result in a greater scientific and societal impact.
As a method, CS emphasises the communication of research results and processes to the public. It encourages citizen participation and democratic education. A platform for the encounter between researcher and citizen.
The degree of involvement in a research project may vary. The volunteer's participation may be contributory, collaborative or co-creative:
- Volunteers can contribute by reporting observations – bird counts are the classic example here
- Volunteers can participate in a collaboration with researchers, where they help with research design, data analysis and communicating results
- Co-created research projects often stem from activism – for example citizens who join forces with researchers to combat local pollution.
AU's sitizen science projects
Researchers from Aarhus University are involved in a number of CS projects, with new ones emerging all the time. List of Citizen Science projects at Aarhus University .
AU citizen science network
Would you like to meet other researchers from AU, who are interested in or working with citizen science, then become part of the AU Citizen Science network. At the network meetings you can discuss your thoughts and ideas with other researchers, who have experience with citizen science projects. Sign up for the mailing list at AU Citizen Science and get information about meetings and activities.
Citizen science in your research project?
Contact AU Library if you need to collect more data for your research project than you can manage on your own, and are therefore considering involving volunteer citizens in your project. AU Library would like to collaborate to make your research project a CS project.
You can apply for funding for citizen science research projects. Several foundations focus on open science and citizen science, so funding may well be available to be found for research with this approach. The AU research project Beyond citizen science: Hybrid intelligence is an example of a project that has received funding from the Carlsberg Foundation's "Semper Ardens" research projects.
Students and citizen science
If you are a student and would like to learn more about CS, Aarhus University offers the course: Citizen Science: Theory and Practice. The course is not held every year, so please contact AU Library if you are interested.
As an ordinary citizen, you can contribute to the researchers’ citizen science projects. For example you can contribute AU's projects by playing a game at Science At Home.
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