Citizen engagement involves people helping governments, rather than scientists, to improve public services and policies in their communities.
The growth and success of citizen science and citizen engagement has been made possible by the Internet and mobile technology, encouraging and coordinating the efforts of millions of people throughout the world. ( ① )
Websites, smartphone apps, and social media have been instrumental in expanding the reach and impact of a diversity of citizen science projects across time and geographical zones. ( ② )
Citizen science involves local people helping scientists carry out a scientific project at scale. ( ③ )
Currently, thousands of such projects have been set up all over the world, whereby volunteers help out in a number of research areas, including biodiversity, air quality, astronomy, and environmental issues. ( ④ )
They do so by participating in scientific activities such as monitoring plants and wildlife, collecting air and water samples, categorizing galaxies, and analyzing DNA sequences. ( ⑤ )
Examples include setting up and managing a website that offers local services for community disasters and creating an emergency response team when a disaster occurs.
