What is Citizen Science?
The term Citizen Science refers to the involvement of the general public in scholarly research activities. A more detailed definition by CitizenScience.gov emphasizes the concept’s potential for positive societal impact:
In citizen science, the public participates voluntarily in the scientific process, addressing real-world problems in ways that may include formulating research questions, conducting scientific experiments, collecting and analysing data, interpreting results, making new discoveries, developing technologies and applications, and solving complex problems.
What is the purpose of Citizen Science Month?
Citizen Science Month encourages the public to participate in academic research and highlights numerous scientific projects around the globe that bring the idea of participatory research to life. Successful Citizen Science projects have tackled the ecological fingerprint of Covid-19, climate change, biodiversity conservation, water quality, the long-term effects of chemical pollution, and new explorations of the Earth’s atmosphere.