Filter by keyword: Citizen science

Sep 14, 2026 Practice Insight

Inverting the planetarium: Symbiosis as an immersive performance for communicating microbial biodiversity loss

by Prof. Remco Kort , Gustavo Trujillo Delgado , Maya Fridman , Wim van Egmond , Milo Grootjen

Communicating microbial biodiversity loss is challenging: the subjects are invisible, often linked with disease and disgust, and lack the appeal of macroscopic conservation icons. We describe Symbiosis, an immersive performance integrating live cello, electronic composition, videomicrography, and full-dome planetarium projection with a narrative on the evolutionary connection between humans and gut microbes. We reflect on five iterations between July 2023 and May 2026: a premiere at the First European Planetary Health Congress, three adaptations for documentary, music-festival, and public-festival audiences, and a forty-minute version coupled to the launch of the Feed Your Microbes citizen science campaign, framing dietary fibre and fermented foods as the practical route to restoring gut microbiota. An embedded evaluation of the final staging provides preliminary evidence that the work shifts audience familiarity, attitudes, and action intention. Our central contribution is the inversion of the planetarium itself: turning a dome built to show the cosmos inward onto the microbial world, so that the venue becomes part of the scientific message. We offer this as a transferable strategy for planetary health communication.

Volume 25Issue 62026

Aug 12, 2026 Article

How can citizen science reduce psychological distance to science? Insights from three projects in contested environmental contexts

by Kirsten Vegt , Dr Janneke Elberse , Dr Bastiaan Rutjens , Prof. Laurens Hessels

Citizen science (CS) is a participatory mode of knowledge production, enabling non-scientific actors to contribute to and sometimes contest scientific agendas and interpretations, making it a way to bridge science and society. This paper examines how that potential unfolds by analysing the individual perspectives of citizen scientists through the lens of Psychological Distance to Science (PSYDISC). Drawing on three case studies of contested environmental CS, we identify which contextual aspects of CS shape citizen scientists' experiences of social, spatial, temporal, or hypothetical distance to relevant science, and how these experiences may relate to trust. Our findings underscore the role of science communication as both a channel for dissemination, and as a constitutive element of participatory research; crucial for reducing psychological distance and enabling socially robust knowledge production, especially in contested, policy-relevant science settings.

Volume 25Issue 62026

Jul 13, 2026 Essay

Citizen Science, Cognitive Justice and Data Sovereignty: a View from the South

by Sarita Albagli

This essay examines citizen science, from a theoretical and conceptual perspective, as an evolving field situated within emerging agendas for rights that intersect with struggles for environmental, cognitive, and data justice. It contends that citizen science is a polysemic concept, encompassing practices ranging from instrumental data collection to democratic knowledge co-production. Drawing on diverse theoretical contributions and incorporating recent debates within the participatory sciences approach, the essay foregrounds perspectives from Global South authors, particularly decolonial and anti-colonial Latin American thought. The essay explores how citizen science may either challenge or reinforce power asymmetries. On the one hand, it can amplify diverse knowledge systems, foster intercultural dialogue, and act as a form of data activism, strengthening citizenship. On the other, it risks reinforcing platform capitalism, digital surveillance, and data extraction, thereby undermining community autonomy. Cognitive justice and data sovereignty are therefore not inherent conditions of citizen science, but outcomes dependent on equitable governance arrangements, ethical protocols and safeguards, and open infrastructures.

Volume 25Issue 52026Transitions in Science Communication: Continuity and Change (PCST 2025)

Jan 26, 2026 Article

Where does affect go? Exploring the (online) sharing of affective nature experiences by ecological citizen scientists

by Helen Verploegen , Noelle Aarts , Irma Arts , Riyan van den Born

Online citizen science platforms for nature observations provide valuable data for nature enthusiasts and scientists, but typically emotions and feelings experienced in nature are not shared there. Through focus groups with users of the Dutch citizen science platform Waarneming.nl, we explored how affective nature experiences are shared. We found that citizen scientists exchange affective experiences through face-to-face conversations or social media and hear about others’ experiences through traditional media. Affects are shared to enthuse others to go into nature, respect or connect more with nature, feel recognized and cope with varying affects experienced in response to environmental loss. Yet, these affects are generally not shared on platforms like Waarneming.nl as these media are associated with knowledge production, science and policy, which users perceive to be in opposition to affect. We reflect on this perceived tension between science and affect, suggesting potential ways to overcome this.

Volume 25Issue 12026

Oct 27, 2025 Book Review

Applying academic authority in public debates

by Brian Trench

Philip Cohen argues for social scientists to be active citizens, intervening in public debates with the legitimacy that their expertise gives them. His advocacy and advice for “citizen scholarship” are guided by his own experience.

Volume 24Issue 052025

Sep 17, 2025 Book Review

How citizens view science communication: pathways to knowledge

by Massimiano Bucchi

The book edited by Moreno-Castro, Krzewińska and Dzimińska intends to “contribute to the general discussion on the public perception of science, the issue of information overload, trust in science sources and the most effective ways of communicating science information”. The book presents the main results of the CONCISE project funded by the European Commission. In 2019, just before the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, five public consultations were conducted with citizens in Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Spain and Portugal, involving a total of 497 citizens. Four specific topics were at the centre of discussions and consultations with the citizens involved: vaccines, climate change, GMOs, “complementary and alternative medicine”. The European study is documented in detail in the book and conveys the impression of a well thought-out, organised and concerted set of activities. The list of authors includes several well-known researchers in the field of science communication in Europe.

Volume 24Issue 052025

Jul 18, 2025 Book Review

Reviewed book: “Science with Impact: How to Engage People, Change Practice, and Influence policy”

by Joanna Kelly Huxster

Science with Impact explores how scientists and researchers can extend the applicability of their work beyond academia to diverse audiences and policymakers. The book addresses the challenges faced in making findings relevant, the ways in which those challenges can be overcome, and the importance of community collaboration in the creation of impactful science.

Volume 24Issue 042025

Jul 16, 2025 Practice Insight

How can we enable school students to learn and participate in science engagement initiatives? Roles and tasks of enablers

by Tim Kiessling , Claussen Christina , Kruse Katrin , Carolin Enzingmüller , Kerstin Kremer , Knickmeier Katrin , Sinja Dittmann , Hinrich Schulenburg , Ilka Parchmann

Involving school students in authentic research beyond their school learning means creating participatory, out-of-school opportunities related to research processes, giving them a voice in the applied format of science engagement. Important for such endeavours is a group of people we identify as “enablers”. Based on insights from two long-term and large-scale science engagement initiatives in Germany (the Darwin Day science outreach and the Plastic Pirates citizen science program), we identified four principal work tasks of enablers. They are described as (i) aligning the needs, expectations and goals of involved participants, (ii) translating differing conceptions about science into shared visions, (iii) guiding the design of the initiative through educational theory, and (iv) evaluating the success of the out-of-school science engagement initiative. We further suggest that self-awareness of being an enabler, working at the interface of the research and education sphere, is an important prerequisite to successfully collaborate with participants.

Volume 24Issue 042025

Jan 20, 2025 Practice Insight

Co-creation in citizen science: sharing learnings and good practice from an indoor, airborne microplastics project

by Ana Margarida Sardo , Laura De Vito , Kirsty J. Pringle , Mark Hansen , Kathryn Lamb-Riddell , Sophie Laggan , Timothy Cox , Ben Williams

HOMEs was a citizen science exploratory project, aimed at investigating the presence of airborne microplastics in people's homes. Participants placed passive samplers in their homes, using low-cost microscopes to see and take pictures of their samples. The methods developed are promising, however there are a number of pitfalls to avoid and key considerations. This practice insight explores successful approaches and identifies barriers and limitations when embedding co-creation and participatory citizen science approaches to a research project. This piece focuses on the methods and engagement with participants, rather than on microplastics findings.

Volume 24Issue 012025

Nov 25, 2024 Article

Anthropomorphism and motivating participation in citizen science projects

by Zoey Rosen , Marilee Long , Bonne Ford , Eric A. Wendt , Michael Cheeseman , Casey Quinn , Christian L'Orange , John Volckens , Jeffrey R. Pierce

Maintaining long-term participation in citizen science projects is challenging; thus, it is important for project developers to use effective techniques to motivate participants. One approach is to incorporate anthropomorphism (ascribing humanlike qualities to a non-human agent) when designing and deploying technology. In a quasi-experimental study conducted as part of the Citizen-Enabled Aerosol Measurements for Satellites (CEAMS) citizen science project, we investigated the relationship between anthropomorphism and motivation to participate in citizen science. Findings showed partial support for the relationship between anthropomorphism and motivation.

Volume 23Issue 082024

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