Citizen Science
Travel Guide

What is citizen science travel?

Table of Contents

1 Citizen Science Travel Guide

We hope you find this citizen science travel guide useful.

To begin with, let’s take a moment to define what citizen science is, as many people have not come across this concept.

In a nutshell, citizen science is data collection or analysis conducted on behalf of untrained people from the general public. Many citizen science projects also give specific research tasks to people that fall outside data collection or analysis. The idea behind citizen science is that big tasks are broken down into smaller, easier and more understandable components. This way, anyone can perform them.

The people engaging in citizen science are called citizen scientists. Sometimes, citizen scientists receive specialised training. This training allows them to perform their tasks more effectively and successfully. For example, Reef Check trains volunteers to conduct data collection in reefs around the world. Because of the work involved, becoming a Reef Check Eco Diver requires that you complete their training.

Since citizen science aims to contribute to both research and discovery, it is considered a subset of science. Although many people partake in citizen science projects online, there are also opportunities for people to get involved with citizen science while traveling.

Hence, we define citizen science travel as those activities and tasks you engage with while travelling which fall under the umbrella of citizen science.

Importantly, citizen science travel can also be linked to many of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. It just depends on the kind of project it is.

Keep reading our citizen science travel guide to learn about the different types of citizen science.

Types of citizen science projects

Citizen science projects are as varied as the volunteers who join them! It truly depends on your own interests and the kinds of initiatives out there. Also, it’s important to note that many citizen science projects also allow you to make a contribution without ever leaving your house! With the internet, you can access countless databases and help with data collection or data analysis for any citizen science project.

However, at Intego Travel we are more interested in citizen science opportunities for travel. Why else would we create a citizen science travel guide, right?

Granted, there are countless opportunities to work as a citizen scientists in many different parts of the world.

In general, we categorise citizen science into 5 different themes:


Community of knowledge	State, science and citizen	Justice and democracy	Conservation	Sustainable cities and communities
A collaboration between amateur volunteers and professional scientists or experts. The volunteers are willing and able to learn about the project and join in the collaboration to support the expert in the topic being researched. For example, birdwatchers frequently help with conducting bird census.	A collaboration between citizens, the state and science to research a particular topic. For example, some government space agencies may request help with satellite counting or other astronomy-related projects.	When citizen scientists advocate for public participation in science or other science-related matters. Since the public has a stake in what scientists do, we have the right to take part in scientific decisions. An example of this would be the volunteers that got involved after the Fukushima disaster to track radiation levels.	Conservation citizen science relates to both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, including our oceans. Citizen scientists can help measure species population, reef health, environmental impacts, etc.	A collaboration between community members, scientists, partner organisations or even local municipalities. Generally, citizen scientists are engaged in collecting essential data relating to important components such as water and air quality, urban forests, infrastructure, etc.

Note: the above themes were sourced from Chen S. and Fan F. (2019) and Earthwatch.org.

Why is citizen science travel important?

There are numerous reasons why citizen science is important. For the purpose of our citizen science travel guide we only list the ones we consider the most important.

✦ First, citizen science helps drive practices of knowledge creation that are not locked away from the public. In particular, citizen science helps improve the knowledge-base of conservation science. This knowledge works for both society and science. Furthermore, it also benefits researchers, society and citizen scientist in many ways.

✦ Second, citizen science increases society’s support, attitudes and behaviours towards research and conservation. By doing so, it also provides the basis for debates on critical issues such as global health, sustainable development, climate change, among others.

✦ Third, citizen science helps improve the visibility and acceptability of conservation science research findings. By participating in citizen science projects, citizens can have a greater say in research and scientific matters. Further to this, citizen science can help researchers align their scientific agendas to greater societal challenges.

✦ Fourth, citizen science improves society’s scientific literacy. Scientific literacy, in turn, leads to a deeper and broader understanding of how science operates. In turn, this becomes a powerful asset against the current fake news world we live in.

✦ Fifth, citizen science contributes to research and governmental policy changes, as well as community change. In particular, if communities partake in citizen science projects that make a difference in their own environment. Further to this, opening research projects to the public can lead to discoveries that scientific research might not have achieved on its own. In fact, many galaxy and supernova discoveries have been made by amateur astronomers.

5 Important points to consider when engaging in citizen science travel

Although citizen science is an amazing opportunity for you to learn to conduct research and contribute to science, there are some key important points to consider when participating in citizen science projects.

This citizen science travel guide lists five points below:

✦ Identify a project that falls under a field you are passionate about.

This will make the experience so much more enjoyable!

✦ Join a project that matches your skills, knowledge and qualifications.

✦ Ensure you receive adequate training for the kind of citizen science work you will be doing.

✦ Lean on the project’s principal researcher.

This is particularly important when collecting specialised data. If you are unsure the data you collected is correct, cross-check it with the researcher and seek their feedback.

✦ Ensure you consider the legal and ethical considerations of the project.

Although these considerations are the responsibility of the principal researcher, it is still something you should be mindful of.

Citizen science travel guide: 4 amazing organisations to get you started with citizen science travel

To wrap up this citizen science travel guide, below we’ve included 4 amazing organisations to consider to help you started on your journey of becoming a citizen scientist.

✦ Reef Check

Reef Check was founded in 1996 to help preserve the world’s oceans and reefs. Every year, Reef Check trains thousands of citizen scientist divers who volunteer to survey the health of coral reefs around the world. Reef Check has facilities in several countries. Importantly, though, you will need to obtain an EcoDiver certification that qualifies you to conduct reef health surveys in the particular area.

For example, I am trained as a Reef Check EcoDiver in the Caribbean region. When I moved to Australia, I had to complete the Reef Check EcoDiver certification for the Indo-Pacific region.

✦ Australian Citizen Science Association

ACSA was formed to advance citizen science in Australia. You can become a citizen scientist by joining as an ACSA member. ACSA has a list of citizen science projects open to volunteers in all over Australia.

✦ Earthwatch

Earthwatch lists hundreds of projects where you can join as a citizen scientist. The platform connects people with scientists all over the world to conduct environmental research. Through this work, Earthwatch empowers people with the knowledge needed to conserve the planet. Earthwatch lists several expeditions with differing focus, including wildlife and ecosystems, ocean health, climate change and archaeology. Visit their expedition page to see a list of all their projects.

✦ Reef Life Survey

Reef Life Survey aims to engage volunteer divers in the collection of scientific data on the status and trends in reef biodiversity. By connecting professionals and citizen scientists, Reef Life Survey is on a mission to inform managers and the broader community on the status of reefs worldwide.

Citizen Science Travel Guide