The theme of the 2026 conference is Citizen Science between Centre and Periphery. This theme highlights the diversity across regions, from urban metropolitan hubs to remote northern and southern spaces. It explores citizen science’s vital connections to sustainability, culture, history, political and legal systems, resources, public health and more.
Dimensions of the conference
- Citizen science and marginal communities: How can citizen science be used to empower and engage marginalised communities in scientific research and decision-making processes? What are the potential impacts of citizen science on marginalised communities, and how can these impacts be mitigated or leveraged for positive change?
- Challenges and opportunities of citizen science in the context of peripheral regions. What are the unique challenges and opportunities of implementing citizen science in peripheral regions? How can citizen science be used as a tool for regional development and social innovation in peripheral regions?
- Citizen science in urban and centralised areas. How can citizen science contribute to the creation of livable and sustainable cities? How can it foster social cohesion and community engagement?
- Citizen science in cross-border and transnational contexts: How can citizen science be used to foster cross-border cooperation and collaboration between different countries and regions? How can citizen science be used to promote public engagement and awareness of transborder issues, such as environmental and cultural heritage?
- Extreme citizen science: How can extreme citizen science be used to co-generate knowledge on remote or hard-to-reach environments, such as high altitude, deep sea, or polar regions, that would be difficult or impossible to obtain through traditional citizen science methods? What are the best practices for recruiting and training citizen scientists to participate in extreme citizen science projects?
- Citizen science and Indigenous knowledges and practices: How can citizen science contribute to co-creation of knowledge with Indigenous communities? How can citizen science projects be designed in ethical ways that respect, incorporate and support the perspectives and values of Indigenous communities, and Indigenous ways of knowing?