Articles
Written by Kawin Jiaranaisakul
“Have you ever wondered if you could be part of real scientific research, without a lab coat or a PhD?”
The truth is, you can. More than ever, science is opening its doors to the public through something called citizen science—a global movement that invites anyone, anywhere, to help collect data, make observations, and contribute to important scientific discoveries.
Because as skilled and dedicated as professional scientists may be, they simply can’t be everywhere at once. Research often requires observations across vast areas, over long periods, and in diverse environments. That’s where citizen scientists come in. People who live in or regularly visit specific locations: parks, farms, cities, forests, coastlines etc., often know their environment better than anyone else. They notice changes, patterns, and species that outsiders might miss. By sharing what they observe, they can provide invaluable insights that would otherwise go undocumented.
Citizen science is all about collaboration. While researchers often face limitations in time, funding, or geographic reach, citizen scientists help fill the gaps by acting as extra eyes, ears, and hands in the field. This shared effort enables large-scale data collection and long-term monitoring that would be impossible to achieve otherwise.
What’s exciting is that you don’t need to be an expert. Many projects are designed for beginners, with easy-to-follow guides and mobile apps that make participating simple and enjoyable. Whether you enjoy watching birds, taking photos of insects, stargazing, or hiking in nature, there’s a citizen science project out there for you.
iNaturalist – One of the most popular platforms, iNaturalist lets you take photos of plants, animals, and fungi, and helps identify them with the help of AI and the global community. Your observations contribute to biodiversity data used by scientists worldwide.
eBird – Managed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, eBird is perfect for bird lovers. Just record the species you see, and your list helps track bird populations and migrations over time.
These platforms show how easy it is to turn your everyday curiosity into something meaningful. You might start with a simple photo in your backyard and end up contributing to a global dataset used in scientific publications. And if you’re looking for the perfect opportunity to try citizen science for yourself, here’s one: National Moth Week, held this year from July 19–27, 2025, invites people around the world to observe and record moths in their local areas. It’s easy, fun, and a great way to join the global community of nature observers.
Just snap a photo of a moth and upload it to iNaturalist—you might be surprised at what you find!
In the end, citizen science isn’t just about data. It’s about curiosity, connection, and caring for the world around us.
Whether you’re on a mountaintop or in your own backyard, you have something to contribute.
Science needs all of us—why not start with you?
