Citizen science is scientific research conducted through collaboration between professional researchers and members of the public. Projects can take many forms; some are led by experts, while others are initiated and driven by participants themselves. Since the concept was established in the 1990s, it has been applied to a wide range of goals, from generating new scientific knowledge to solving local community problems.
Citizen science spans a wide range of academic fields, from the natural sciences to the humanities and social sciences. While common in the natural sciences—for example, in wildlife monitoring and astronomical observation—it is also actively applied in the humanities and social sciences, with projects on local history and social issues. Recent advances in digital technology have also enabled online participation, opening the door to even more diverse forms of public engagement.
Public involvement in Citizen Science also varies in depth. The contributory model, in which participants assist with tasks such as data collection and classification, is common. However, more collaborative and co-creative models—where participants take part in setting research questions, designing methods, analyzing data, and even publishing results—are increasingly widespread. In addition, independent initiatives, where participants organize and conduct research autonomously, represent another vital approach within Citizen Science.
Through these diverse approaches, Citizen Science aims to advance both practical problem-solving and theoretical research, grounded in collaboration with local communities and industry.
The Citizen Science Research Center at Fukuoka University's Faculty of Commerce aims to advance the field of Citizen Science. We do this by promoting research on collaborative knowledge creation between the public and researchers, and developing methods and infrastructure to support public participation in research. Our vision is a society where anyone, not just professional researchers, can pursue their curiosity through research and inquiry.
As a research organization within the Faculty of Commerce, our center focuses on addressing the management and marketing challenges inherent in Citizen Science. The practice of Citizen Science involves numerous operational hurdles, and our research addresses these, including: developing effective outreach strategies, building partnerships with academic, government, and corporate sectors, ensuring strong project management, and establishing sustainable funding models.
Additionally, our center fosters interdisciplinary research by welcoming Citizen Scientists and professional researchers from diverse fields as visiting fellows. We collaborate with experienced citizen-led research practitioners and experts in fields such as community management, science education, platform development, and gerontology. Together, we explore the full potential of Citizen Science from multiple perspectives.