Summary
Many citizen science initiatives in Canada are led by academic and non-profit groups. However, several federal science and research programs are seeking broader integration of citizen science and meaningful engagement with community groups and individuals. Where appropriate, these collaborations may help address data gaps, strengthen Canada’s research and innovation capacity, and support government priorities such as open science. A comprehensive understanding of the state of citizen science in Canada could better inform decision-making, policy, and regulation while prioritizing made-in-Canada solutions and partnerships.
Citizen science—sometimes referred to as community science or participatory science—engages the public as research partners with valuable skills, perspectives, and experiences to contribute. Individuals, community groups, and organizations can participate across diverse fields, such as ecology, astronomy, public health, or history. The type of collaboration most appropriate and effective for a research project will vary and collaboration may begin with communities approaching professional researchers with ideas, or researchers seeking out interested volunteers.
At the request of Public Services and Procurement Canada, the CCA will assess the state of citizen science in Canada and how it compares internationally. It will explore how citizen science is being applied and its impact across fields and disciplines.
An expert panel will be appointed in the coming weeks, with the final report expected to be published in 2027.
The question
What is the current state of citizen science in Canada and how does it compare internationally?
The sponsor
Public Services and Procurement Canada
The Expert Panel on the State of Citizen Science in Canada
- Jeremy Kerr (Chair), Professor, Department of Biology, University of Ottawa
- Myrle Ballard, Associate Professor, Department of Earth, Energy and Environment, and Canada Research Chair Tier II in Weaving Indigenous Science and Sustainability Science, University of Calgary
- Jasmin Bhawra, Assistant Professor, School of Occupational and Public Health; Director, CHANGE Research Lab, Toronto Metropolitan University
- Margaret Gold, Senior Researcher and Coordinator External Collaborations, Citizen Science Lab, Leiden University
- Katarina Hartwig, Executive Director and Founder, Living Lakes Canada
- Tarun Katapally, Canada Research Chair in Digital Health for Equity; Associate Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences; Cross-Appointed Associate Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics; Director, DEPtH Lab, Western University
- Jean-Noé Landry, Director, Data Collaborative Hub, Institute on Resilience and Urban Innovation
- Tracey P. Lauriault, Associate Professor, Critical Media and Big Data, School of Journalism and Communication, Carleton University
- Marie-Jean Meurs, Full Professor, Centre interuniversitaire de recherche sur la science et la technologie and Faculty of Science, Department of Computer Science, Université du Québec à Montréal
- Shirley Tagalik, Director, Aqqiumavvik Society
- Jérôme Waldispühl, Professor, Computer Science, and Canada Research Chair in Biomedical Citizen Science, McGill University
