LibGuides: Open Science & Open Scholarship: Citizen Science

Citizen Science

Citizen science is a form of research conducted, in whole or in part, by amateur or non-professional researchers, typically members of the general public.

It involves public participation in various stages of the research process, most commonly in collecting or analyzing data. Citizen scientists often collaborate with professional scientists on projects that address real-world questions or problems.

Citizen Science Projects @ UVic

A growing number of research projects led by or with participation of University of Victoria (UVic) experts include community participation. The core values behind citizen science align with the university's strategic plan and UVic Libraries’ strategic directions, both of which promote community-engaged learning and research.

(KULA, 2025)

SchoolShake Project
The SchoolShake project will collect seismographic data by partnering up UVic researchers with K-12 schools across Vancouver Island.
Adult Salmon Diet Program
The Adult Salmon Diet Program is a study under the leadership of Dr. Will Duguid, which is teaming up with recreational fishers to gather data on the diet of adult Chinook and coho salmon found along the coast of BC
Metchosin Flying Insect Biomass Project
The Metchosin Flying Insect Biomass Project is a long-term research project led by Dr. Neville Winchester, that collects and analyzes data on the development of insect population levels with the help of community scientists.

Global Citizen Science Projects

Globe at Night
This project asks citizen scientists to measure the brightness of the night sky to help monitor and study light pollution globally.
BudBurst
Participants make observations about the timing of seasonal changes in plants (like when buds open or leaves change color), helping scientists understand the impacts of climate change.
eBird
Run by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, eBird is a global database of bird observations. Birdwatchers of all skill levels submit checklists of birds they see, providing valuable data on bird distribution, abundance, and migration patterns.
OpenStreetMap
OpenStreetMap (OSM) is a collaborative, open-source project to create a free, editable map of the entire world, built by a community of volunteers using data from mobile devices, aerial photography, and local knowledge.