The Fairicube project’s Use Case 3 (UC3), focusing on Environmental Adaptation Genomics in Drosophila, recently concluded a questionnaire assessing the impact of its communication efforts and the engagement of citizen scientists from the city of Vienna. The results offer exciting insights into public involvement in scientific research and the potential for lasting citizen science participation beyond the project’s lifespan.
Citizen science and its role in UC3
The primary aim of UC3 is to integrate genomic data from the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster—one of the most well-studied model organisms—with comprehensive environmental and climate datasets. This interdisciplinary approach seeks to understand how environmental factors shape genetic variation and influence evolutionary processes.
Citizen science (CS) has been an essential part of this research, enabling broader data collection and fostering public interest in evolutionary genetics. Drosophila melanogaster is an excellent subject for citizen science due to its global presence and well-documented genetics. Involving non-experts in collecting and analyzing data has not only expanded the reach of the study but also demonstrated the power of collaborative science in addressing ecological and genetic questions.
Exciting insights from the questionnaire
The questionnaire filled by more than 60 CS participants provides fascinating feedback on citizen scientists’ experiences:
- The first figure reveals that about two-thirds of participants had never engaged in a citizen science project before. This underscores the opportunity projects like UC3 present for introducing the public to scientific research.
- The second figure shows that, despite this being their first experience for many, all respondents expressed enthusiasm about participating in future citizen science projects. This indicates strong engagement and interest stimulated by the citizen science project of UC3.
A lasting impact
These results highlight how UC3 successfully engaged new audiences and raised their awareness for biodiversity, inspiring them to continue participating in citizen science initiatives. The project’s ability to spark curiosity and sustain involvement demonstrates the importance of integrating citizen science into cutting-edge research. By bringing together genomic data, environmental information, and public participation, FAIRicube’s UC3 is not just advancing scientific knowledge but also fostering a new wave of community-driven research.