In citizen science, citizens and researchers join forces to make a positive societal impact. Part of the University of Twente’s mission is to strengthen society by providing sustainable solutions to current problems. To this end, scientists and students collaborate with citizens, civil society organisations, governments and companies.
What is Citizen Science?
Citizen science is a form of research in which citizens and civil society organisations actively participate in the generation of new knowledge. Rather than being passive subjects of research, they become co-creators—helping to define relevant questions, collect and analyse data, and apply findings in ways that directly impact their lives and communities.
In the region of Twente and beyond, citizen science is being used to tackle pressing societal challenges such as promoting good health, enabling the transition to sustainable energy, and ensuring a safe and inclusive digital world. These are themes that matter to people, and citizen science empowers them to contribute meaningfully to research that aligns with their values and daily experiences.
This approach is grounded in the 10 Principles of Citizen Science as defined by the European Citizen Science Association (ECSA). These principles emphasise openness, inclusivity, mutual respect between scientists and citizens, and a commitment to high-quality data and scientific outcomes. They also highlight the importance of learning, feedback, and acknowledging the contributions of all participants.
Citizen science contributes not only to improved scientific literacy but also to more democratic and socially responsive research. By valuing local knowledge and lived experience, it strengthens the relevance, impact, and legitimacy of science in society. Whether improving air quality in neighbourhoods, co-developing digital tools for accessibility, or monitoring biodiversity, citizen science offers a powerful model for collaborative innovation—benefiting individuals, communities, and society as a whole.
Citizen Science at the University of Twente
The University of Twente is a people-centered, entrepreneurial university of technology that strives to strengthen society through meaningful and impactful scientific research. Committed to openness and transparency, the university actively involves citizens, civil society organisations, and other societal partners in shaping both its research and educational agenda.
By embracing real-world challenges, the University of Twente aims to maximise the societal impact of its work. Its efforts are focused on three key themes: good healthcare, the energy transition, and safe digitalisation—topics that are essential for a fair, sustainable, and inclusive future.
In support of citizen-driven research and public engagement, the university has established the Citizen Science Hub Twente, based at DesignLab. This hub serves as a regional platform for collaboration, experimentation, and capacity-building in citizen science, connecting researchers, citizens, policymakers, and organisations around shared goals.
CITIZEN SCIENCE at DesignLab
Citizen Science Hub Twente is based at DesignLab, a logical place. DesignLab has been working on citizen science for years. Whether this was connecting citizens to researchers, or facilitating a working space for research, or simply thinking alongside of society. DesignLab has also worked on and continues to work on projects that focus on citizen science.
Larger Positive Impact
The opportunities offered by citizen science, alongside regular science, are significant. So-called ‘transdisciplinary collaboration’ makes a valuable contribution to academic research, as scientists from different fields, citizens and organisations all have their own knowledge, experiences and ideas that may benefit the final result.
Citizen science is as transparent and open as possible. It is also closely linked to open science in that knowledge, experiences and outcomes are shared to enable maximum accessibility and use. This does not only enhance the impact, but could also reinforce society’s trust in science.