Article
What is citizen science and why does it matter?
Editorial team · 07 November 2026
From bird counts to classifying galaxies: a look at how ordinary people contribute to science.
- Education
- Open science and research methods
In recent decades millions of people around the world, without specialist training, have taken part in real research projects. Their participation has produced valuable data and narrowed the gap between science and society.
Lessons from around the world
Platforms that list citizen science projects host thousands of projects and hundreds of thousands of volunteers. The shared lesson is that a simple interface and short training are key to attracting participants.
Public participation doesn't just produce data; it builds trust in science.