Citizen science projects involve non-professional researchers in the generation of scientifically relevant knowledge in a meaningful way.
Why engage in citizen science in the biomedical and health sciences?
- improves the research process (provides additional insights, prevent missteps)
- improves relations with patients and other end-users
- enhances the impact of research
- brings economic benefits
- benefits researchers’ careers
Citizen science in this field can take many forms, involving patients or members of the public in crowdfunding, data or specimen collection, self-tracking, social network and sharing platforms, gaming, or biohacking.
Types of citizen science in the health sciences
- donating of biological samples and other person-level health information gathered from individuals
- utilizing available online social media and other “big” data for free-living, population-level surveillance of health behaviors or disease outcomes
- actively collecting data in the advancement of science
- collecting continuous individual behavioral and physiological data through wearable devices and sensors
- crowdsourcing information to benefit science and/or the larger community, through games or citizen reporting of local conditions that can negatively impact health
- catalyzing changes in local environmental and social drivers of health
- engaging in question identification and project planning in ways that help to ensure the relevance of the scientific endeavor to the health of their communities
Source: King et al., 2019
Keen to know more?
- Check our complete guide to Best Practices in Citizen Science in the Biomedical and Health Sciences here.
- Check the calendar of CARE’s Open Calls for funding opportunities here.
- For international examples, check the list maintained by the Working Group Citizen Science for Health of the European Citizen Science Association and the European Citizen Science Platform.
Striving for a Better Future