University of Gloucestershire research reveals what works in Environmental Citizen Science

Countryside and Community Research Institute (CCRI) researchers have drawn important lessons from a national collaborative river health monitoring programme that could help ensure the success of other citizen science initiatives.

Examining evidence from the Catchment Systems Thinking Cooperative (CaSTCo) programme, researchers have published two reports identifying what motivates people to take part in citizen science and how project leaders can best work with volunteers to shape projects that are effective and sustainable. 

The first report reveals that a mix of environmental, personal and social factors motivate citizen scientists, including concern for the local environment. It also identifies barriers to sustained engagement, such as volunteers experiencing frustration if their efforts are undervalued. The report recommends that to sustain participation, it is essential that these varied motivations are recognised, and clear communication and support is provided.

The second report focuses on the underused approach of co-design, where groups of people collaborate to create viable solutions to shared issues. The CCRI set out twelve guiding principles for successful co-design, including inclusivity and valuing local knowledge. They recognise that while it is not always possible for entire projects to be co-designed, even partial involvement helps make citizen science monitoring more relevant and trusted.

To support organisations in applying these findings to ongoing and future citizen science initiatives, CCRI researchers provide a set of recommendations to ensure projects are scientifically rigorous, socially relevant, and resilient over time:  

• Involving citizens early in the planning process.
• Being transparent about what can be influenced and what is fixed.
• Investing in facilitation to ensure inclusivity and manage power dynamics.
• Recognising and valuing local expertise alongside scientific knowledge.
• Building continuity through feedback, recognition, and long-term support.

Dr Charlotte-Anne Chivers, lead author of both reports and Research Fellow at the University’s CCRI, said: “Citizen science is often valued for the data it generates. These reports highlight its wider potential to build trust, strengthen communities and support democratic approaches to environmental governance. Together they provide a practical roadmap for organisations seeking to create initiatives that are not only robust but also meaningful to those involved.

“Citizen science is most powerful when people feel their voices and experiences shape the process. These reports show that motivations and co-design principles are not just abstract ideas, but practical tools for making citizen-led monitoring more effective, trusted and enduring. “With environmental pressures intensifying, the need for reliable community-driven monitoring has never been greater. The new reports provide timely guidance for ongoing and future citizen science projects.”

Main image: River Guardian volunteers carrying out water quality monitoring. Photo credit: Western Sussex Rivers Trust