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Opportunities for microbiology citizen science: lessons learnt from three pilot projects.
Rachel M Pateman1, Joyce Bennett2, Anthony C Hilton2
1Stockholm Environment Institute, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK.
Access Microbiology
|April 18, 2025
Summary
Citizen science (CS) offers a powerful approach to microbiology research, enabling public participation in scientific discovery. However, challenges in participation and resourcing need addressing for broader impact.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Citizen Science
Background:
- Citizen science (CS) involves public-scientist partnerships for scientific inquiry.
- CS has grown significantly but is underutilized in microbiology research.
- Microbiology research aligns well with CS due to simplified sampling and relevant topics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential and challenges of citizen science in microbiology research.
- To share experiences from three pilot microbiology citizen science projects.
- To provide recommendations for future microbiology citizen science initiatives.
Main Methods:
- Discussion of CS alignment with microbiology research principles.
- Presentation of simplified sampling methods for yeast, antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, and surface microbes.
- Reflection on participant engagement and project outcomes from three pilot studies.
Main Results:
- Citizen science projects can yield relevant data for microbiology, from drug discovery to environmental health.
- Simplified sampling methods were developed for home-based microbiology investigations.
- Limited participant time and project resourcing constrained knowledge generation and impact in pilot studies.
Conclusions:
- Citizen science holds significant promise for advancing microbiology research.
- Sharing both successes and challenges is crucial for the growth of microbiology CS.
- Adequate resourcing and careful consideration of ethical implications are vital for successful microbiology CS projects.
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