Module 2: Citizen science

Photo by Ralph Chang, Pexels.

After completing this module, you can…

  • identify the characteristics of citizen science.
  • justify whether citizen science can be applied in your own research.
  • make use of guidelines and manuals to help you design your own citizen science projects.

Citizen science in a nutshell

Citizen science refers to scientific research that is conducted, in whole or in part, by members of the general public – often in collaboration with or under the guidance of professional scientists. It allows people from various backgrounds to contribute to data collection, analysis, and even project design. It’s a powerful way to gather large and diverse datasets while engaging the public in science.

Citizen science is part of open science

Citizen science is part of the broader open science framework, seeking to make the scientific process more transparent and collaborative. UNESCO recognizes the value of involving citizens in scientific research, not only to advance scientific knowledge but also to enhance public engagement with science.

Open science shares several key principles with citizen science, including:

  • Strengthening societal knowledge and innovation: Collaboration between researchers and citizens can lead to the emergence of new ideas and perspectives.
  • Increasing the societal impact of research: Citizen involvement helps ensure that research addresses real-world needs and concerns.
  • Enhancing interaction between researchers, policymakers, and citizens: Open science fosters dialogue and mutual understanding among different societal actors.
  • Enabling public participation in scientific research: Citizen science promotes transparency and democratization of science by involving non-professionals in the research process.
  • Providing open access to data: Datasets collected through citizen science projects are often made openly available for others to use.
  • Popularizing scientific knowledge: Citizen science helps make scientific information more understandable and accessible to a broader audience.

Updated: 8/2025

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