Exploring the landscape and value of citizen science: Insights from Professor Darlene Cavalier

Citizen science initiatives are projects that engage the general public in science research through active participation in data collection, observation, analysis, and/or design of research questions. They have experienced significant growth in recent years, driven in part by increased interconnectedness facilitated by the internet. While some projects simply seek to foster recreational engagement in the scientific enterprise, others contribute critical data to ongoing research projects and conservation efforts. One person making waves in the citizen science field is Professor Darlene Cavalier, Professor of Practice in the School for the Future of Innovation and Society at Arizona State University, founder of SciStarter, Science Cheerleaders, and cofounder of Expert and Citizen Assessment of Science and Technology (ECAST). SciStarter is an online platform that provides information about ongoing citizen science projects and hosts free training modules. MIT Science Policy Review spoke with Professor Cavalier to learn more about the impacts of citizen science initiatives, their ethical and policy considerations, and the trajectory and future of the field.