Community Science

Transforming scientific research through collaboration with diverse communities to enhance the scale, societal relevance and impact of our work.

Our research shows that participation in community science research supports individuals to develop a personal sense of agency to take action for the environment.

In the face of the environmental crisis, growing eco-anxiety and increasing disconnection from the natural world, community science can be a powerful approach to take collective action.

The ambition of the Community Science Theme is to support individuals and communities in realising their potential to collaborate on scientific research at scale. We aim to deliver the best possible academic and environmental outcomes, foster a sense of community and promote personal development for all participants.

We aim to drive change across the sector by providing guidance for researchers and practitioners to expand the implementation of high-quality community science research globally. We’ll do this through leading the development of the 10 Principles of Citizen Science, which is available in 39 languages.

Addressing the planetary emergency requires action at all levels, from governments and corporations to communities and individuals. Communities and individuals can drive change on local scales that can have regional, national and global impact.

We partner with government departments and agencies, NGOs, businesses and academia to accelerate scientific research and connect that research to action at government, community and individual levels.

We’re committed to involving traditionally underserved audiences, enabling us to deliver science outcomes that are more equitable and impactful.

Our UK and international community science projects span aquatic environmental DNA, urban biodiversity and nature recovery, coastal health, bioacoustics research and rewilding studies.

Projects