Empowering citizens through science: The role of citizen science in Europe
Discover how citizen scientists engage and contribute to research
Citizen science is an engagement method that actively involves citizens in various stages of the scientific research process. Citizens may contribute to problem definition, quality assurance, data collection and analysis, and interpretation. This citizen-collaborative approach provides local involvement and the opportunity to expand the knowledge base, making research more accessible and inclusive.
Citizens have become significant providers of data. The European Citizen Science platform (ECS) is a central hub that offers an overview of over 300 citizen science projects across the EU. The ESC strives to create a globally connected, inclusive, and strong community of citizen scientists to drive societal change in Europe. For example, the ‘Citizen Observatory of Drought’ project focuses on monitoring water and drought management, as well as their impact on the environment and society. Citizen scientists participate by collecting and sharing information about drought in their environment. These citizens provide localised data that otherwise might not be available, playing a key role in the project’s success.
Open and FAIR (Finable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) data is a primary focus of the ECS. It refers to making knowledge and data open to the public, allowing people to engage in research without restricted access to the data. This aligns with the goals of data.europa.eu, which also strives to make data openly accessible. By making research more inclusive and accessible, citizen science helps bridge the gap between scientists and the public, fostering a more collaborative and informed society. Bridging this gap increases engagement and awareness among citizens.
Are you already a citizen scientist? Would you like to read more about how citizen scientists are involved? Explore more datasets and discover how citizen scientists across Europe are contributing to valuable research on data.europa.eu.
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