eu-citizen.science blog

Muki Haklay April 9, 2025, 9:10 a.m.

In this article, we take a look at the development of the European Citizen Science Academy, with a long perspective which looks at the needs for skills and competencies in participatory and citizen science over the past 20 years. We examine the emergence of citizen science as a coherent field of activity and the need for introducing people to the theory and practice of it. We then move to the early development of training in citizen science a decade ago, and the development of the European Citizen Science Academy today.

Baiba Pruse April 10, 2025, 11:01 a.m.

Have you ever walked in the streets with a thought that a flower meadow, seaweed, or seagrass could be illustrated on the white building walls? Well, we have! ECSA Working Group on Green spaces and citizen science, and its chairs Baiba Prūse, Sofie Meeus, Stefano Martellos and Vito Emanuele Cambria undertook a new adventure. By co-joining forces with the SPOTTERON citizen science platform and the ArtSpots app team, we brought a unique research challenge to Ca’ Foscari University of Venice master students facilitated by Ca’ Foscari University of Venice Biocultural Diversity Lab team.

Adriana Postiglione, April 9, 2025, 9:10 a.m.

When I think of the Citizen Science School Rome Technopole, the first word that comes to my mind is challenge. Indeed, it was the first school to simultaneously address high school students and teachers, university students and researchers – how would they react together in a co-creation phase? Would they have been able to find sufficient motivation to get involved? Would we organisers have been able to give each of them something useful to take home?

Cléa Montanari April 9, 2025, 9:10 a.m.

The Network of Trainers and Educators of the ECS Academy in Citizen Science has a very active role in the creation of the Academy itself, and helps to identify training needs, co-design workshops and the roadmap to the Academy. Here, we hear in their own words what this experience means to some of them, and what their role has been and will be in shaping the ECA Academy.

Cléa Montanari April 9, 2025, 8:46 a.m.

As the project manager of the European Citizen Science Academy I am very intrigued to know what kind of training is ongoing in European countries — as there are many; but they are not so easy to find, if you, yourself are not part of the country, or do not speak the language, and or do not make a business trip there. The European Citizen Science Academy would like to know, and also facilitate the knowledge of what is going on at a European level in relation to training in citizen science. This is 1) not to reinvent the wheel of training, 2) foster collaborations and initiatives and cross-pollination of what is going on at national level.

Simona Cerrato April 9, 2025, 8:45 a.m.

As it should always be the case, human aspects, emotions and personal commitment are key for a truly positive learning experience. here are some of the immediate impressions from those who participated, in various roles, in the Rome Technopole School in Citizen Science.

Simona Cerrato April 9, 2025, 8:45 a.m.

Gli aspetti umani, le emozioni e l'impegno personale sono elementi cruciali di ogni esperienza di apprendimento. Qui raccogliamo le impressioni a caldo di alcune delle persone che hanno partecipato con diversi ruoli alla Rome Technopole School in Citizen Science.

Marco Raoul Marini, April 9, 2025, 8:45 a.m.

An innovative example of citizen science, where Artificial Intelligence merges with geometric drawing, smartphone technology, and music to engage the public in co-creating knowledge. Developed in the VisionLab of Sapienza University of Rome’s Computer Science Department, the project is supported by the Anna Maria Catalano Foundation and selected for Fondazione TIM’s 2023 “Call for Ideas.” Beyond technological innovation, DSM stands out for its democratic and inclusive approach, transforming users into active contributors to research.

Emma Giles, March 31, 2025, 11:23 a.m.

Global Citizen Science Month expands with European Collaboration. Participatory science gains traction; researchers aim for more than 1,000,000 Acts of Science this April during Citizen Science Month. This April, Citizen Science Month goes global like never before! SciStarter.org, Arizona State University, and partners are once again calling on people around the world to contribute to more than 1,000,000 Acts of Science—but this year, the European Citizen Science Association (ECSA) is bringing a powerful new dimension to the movement.

Yaela Golumbic March 17, 2025, 9:44 a.m.

The latest meeting of the ECSA Working Group on Citizen Science and universities focused on teaching with and about citizen science, offering insights into innovative approaches to integrating citizen science into university curricula.

Stefania Oikonomou, March 13, 2025, 11:21 a.m.

Citizen Science Stories from Across Europe: Episode 3. In our video blog series, we'll be sharing inspiring stories of citizen science initiatives from across Europe. Our third episode features Stefania Oikounomou (Web2Learn) and Zacharias Margaritidis (EKVE, Deaf Association of Northern Greece) talked about their thoughtful and sensitive work conducted with deaf citizens. Watch the complete video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKjUPNyX0f8

Marius Oesterheld Feb. 26, 2025, 4:09 p.m.

The third ECS high-level policy event has been an opportunity to take stock of the progress made so far and explore barriers, opportunities and strategies for strengthening citizen science contributions to sustainable development, both within the SDG framework and beyond 2030. The panel discussion revealed challenges, but also showcased lighthouse projects and potential ways forward.