Citizen scientists

Analysis and Comment (5)

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A scientist training a volunteer on how to collect data on web-building spiders. John Gollan

Citizen science can produce reliable data

By John Gollan, University of Technology, Sydney

Citizen science occurs when data for scientific research is collected by members of the public in a voluntary capacity. Public participation in environmental projects, in particular, has been described…
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Automated cameras and microphones will help better connect the public with life in the wild. Scott_Calleja

Ready for my closeup: camera traps bring home the wild

By Dustin Welbourne

For 60 years Sir David Attenborough has brought the “extraordinary” of far off lands closer to home. In some aspects, Sir Dave has brought it so close that the only experiences you miss from not travelling…
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A renewed interest in citizen science could help engage the wider public in research projects. Mount Rainier NPS

Citizen scientists are nothing new, and their value will only grow

By Caitlin Kight, University of Exeter

Academic discussions of citizen science are all the rage right now (see here, and here, and here). While most describe the successes of individual projects, none (to my knowledge) have taken the long view…
Blackswan
Would you like to take “ownership” of a black swan? Catherine Payne

Citizen scientists, the black swan needs you

By Raoul Mulder, University of Melbourne

You may have heard that a male black swan was widowed by rock-throwing children in Melbourne recently. The event caused ripples of public concern, but also revealed how little we know about these iconic…

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