The Citizen Science research group is involved in diverse areas of citizen science-related research, provides high quality education, and develops innovative tools and resources to support other researchers or practicioners when it comes to citizen science and public engagement. Below you can find our efforts in more detail. Interested to know more or collaborate? Click here to get in touch!
Vision:
Our vision is to facilitate broader public participation in scientific research, through providing state-of-the-art research and education in the field of citizen science.
Mission:
Conduct rigorous innovative citizen science research with and for diverse communities
Develop and deliver high-quality trainings and tools to empower (future) STEM communicators, educators and researchers to engage in citizen science.
Integrate citizen-science pedagogy into formal and informal education contexts
Build capacity and competencies amongst practioners interested in the concept of citizen science
Cultivate meaningful partnerships and co-creation opportunities with diverse stakeholders and communities.
Contribute to national and international open-science efforts that lower barriers to public participation in research.
Foster the embedding of citizen-science approaches in higher education and policy to create long-term structures that support widespread public participation.
MSc Course Citizen Science
MSc Course Nature of Scientific Disciplines
BSc Course Science Communication
Course From Small to Large Life
Walidah Sholilah - "Development of a participatory water quality monitoring system for Discus fish cultivation using citizen science, IoT and Machine Learning"
This study develops a citizen science-based water quality monitoring system for discus fish farming in Indonesia. Ornamental fish farmers are involved from the early stages through a co-creation process to determine the most relevant water quality parameters and ensure that the developed devices meet their needs. Water quality measurements are carried out using an IoT sensor box that automatically sends data to a web platform. This data is then analyzed and used to build a predictive model serving as an early warning system when water conditions begin to deteriorate. This approach not only improves the accuracy and frequency of monitoring but also strengthens farmers' roles as active partners in decision-making, thereby sustainably increasing the productivity of ornamental fish farming.
Marit Boekema - "Overcoming the Distance: Using Virtual Reality to Teach Environmental Citizenship in Secondary Education"
This study develops an interdisciplinary approach to teach environmental citizenship and perspective-taking. The study uses virtual reality to explore how secondary school students can learn about the perspectives of people around the world who are affected by climate change. By helping young people understand these perspectives, the study aims to increase the awareness of students on how their own choices and lifestyles contribute to global challenges.
Shivam Sen - "Agent Based Modelling of Realistic Behaviour in Cascading Disasters with Citizen Science"
This inter and trans-disciplinary project is aimed at improving resilience to multi-hazard, cascading, compounding, interconnected or interacting disasters for the province of Groningen, given its increasing risks from climate change. For this, the project aims to integrate theories of behaviour in cascading disasters into agent based computer simulations set in the province. These simulations interact with other systems like the transportation system, communications systems, etc. to explore disaster trajectories and consequences of different possible mitigation measures. Furthermore, the project uses a participatory approach, citizen science, to infuse local knowledge into the models as well as communicate risks and come up with community driven disaster mitigation strategies.