Editor’s choice
Editor’s choice
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Start readingSEI York has launched a new resource hub to support citizen science researchers and practitioners. The hub enables users to find and connect with others doing citizen science research in the UK, learn more about citizen science and how to do it, and discover the latest research, training opportunities and events.
Citizen science refers to any activity where researchers (often scientists) partner with members of the public to answer scientific questions. The use of citizen science methodologies has grown exponentially in recent years as scientists, policymakers and non-governmental organizations see the value of conducting research in this way.
In the UK, citizen science projects are run by a wide range of organizations, from university research groups and international charities to national and regional membership organizations, volunteer networks and local groups. There is a lot of information available online about specific projects, volunteering opportunities and research methods, but it is spread across numerous websites and platforms. There is no single place to get an overview of the citizen science scene in the UK, connect with other citizen science researchers, or discover the range of resources and training options available.
A colleague told us she gone online to learn about citizen science in the UK but struggled to piece together a clear picture. We recognised the need for a hub to provide an overview of the UK citizen science scene and help people find the information they are looking for.
Victoria Beale, Inclusive Citizen Science group
To address this issue and support citizen science researchers and practitioners in the UK, SEI York’s Inclusive Citizen Science group has created a new online resource hub – Citizen Science UK, hosted by the University of York.
Citizen Science UK provides a space for users to:
The hub was launched in April 2026, and the centre will continue to add and update the content. Research groups, organizations and networks in the UK which use, study or teach citizen science methodologies can submit information about their group for inclusion, using the embedded form.
Citizen science has a remarkable ability to open up research and invite more people to take part in meaningful scientific discovery. This new resource hub will be a valuable asset for anyone leading or supporting citizen science projects.
Julia Willison, Director of Learning and Participation, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Inclusive Citizen Science is also setting up a series of clinics for citizen science researchers to access support and explore citizen science and adjacent participatory methods. Through the Collaborative Citizen Science labs project, the group aims to strengthen researchers’ capacity to deliver high quality, inclusive, and robust participatory research.
Visit the website to discover the citizen science scene in the UK and useful resources for your research and practice.
Project / CS Co-labs supports researchers to use citizen science and other participatory methods to deliver high quality, inclusive, and robust sustainability research.
Project / Through interdisciplinary collaborations between French and English institutions, we aim to better understand how citizen science can foster nature connection.
Feature / Learn how citizen science methodologies can be valuable at different stages of the research process, and the benefits (and costs) of different approaches.
