Do you love diving or snorkeling? Then become part of marine research! Octopus Intelligence invites you to observe wild octopuses in the Northern Adriatic Sea and document your sightings. Every observation helps to learn more about these fascinating animals and their habitat. 

What are the aims of the project?

The citizen science project Octopus Intelligence studies octopuses in the Northern Adriatic. The goal: to find out where octopuses occur, at what depths they live, how large the populations are, and how these animals behave in the wild. Octopuses are considered intelligent, adaptable, and popular – yet their behavior and distribution are still poorly understood. The project collects sightings from divers and snorkelers to expand this knowledge. The data helps to better understand octopuses and their habitats – a crucial foundation for their protection. At the same time, the project raises awareness for respectful interaction with the marine environment and its inhabitants and supports initiatives such as marine protected areas. Encountering an octopus is a highlight for many underwater enthusiasts – and through this project, it also becomes a valuable scientific contribution. 

How can you participate in research?

It’s easy to participate: while diving or snorkeling in the Northern Adriatic, observe an octopus. Take photos or videos of the sighting. Document the location as precisely as possible – ideally with GPS coordinates, a map marking, or a detailed description. Send your observations to the project team via email or social media. You’ll find detailed instructions and examples on the project website. Respect for the marine environment is very important to us: please avoid touching wildlife, using flashlights, or causing unnecessary stress. The goal is to document the animals’ behavior in their natural habitat with as little interference as possible. Feedback, questions, and your own ideas are always welcome. 

Pictures

• CC BY 4.0 Daniel Kalysch CC BY 4.0 Daniel Kalysch
• CC BY 4.0 Selina Ernst CC BY 4.0 Selina Ernst
• CC BY 4.0 Selina Ernst CC BY 4.0 Selina Ernst
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Here technology becomes an experience² . Technology and science are key drivers of our society. They are all around us and determine our daily lives. Our cultural mission is to publicly reflect upon the developments of technology and science and their contemporary effects on society. The integrative combination of original objects with interactive elements is our trademark.

The Technical Museum has entered the field of citizen science with the Sparkling Science project This is (not) Rocket Science!. A project in which work is carried out internally across departments and external relationships with school locations in the museum's neighborhood have been strengthened.

The mdw - University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna is one of the world's largest and most renowned universities for the performing arts of music, theater and film. It educates around 3,000 students from 70 countries and offers 115 fields of study and 41 university courses in 25 institutes. 

Scientific and artistic research takes place at a number of institutes and research centers and encompasses a variety of disciplines and research fields in the humanities, cultural, social and natural sciences, which are always in interaction with the development and development of the arts (EEK).

The socio-political dimensions of art and culture, the questioning of power structures, the identity-forming effect of music, health promotion in the field of applied research, for example on music physiology and music therapy, are examples of citizen science that is being promoted at the mdw.

Recognizing the potential of non-academic knowledge for research, the mdw promotes innovative, multidirectional and dialogical transfer activities in the form of cooperation with various social actors, interdisciplinary Art & Science projects and the involvement of different target groups. Citizen science is used, for example, in ethnomusicological or music sociological research. The Department of Music Education/Community Music represents a new focus within music education research and practice, enabling students to develop innovative participatory art formats and to critically examine music and society.

Monitoring of Amphibians and Reptiles in Austrian Gardens

The BIOM-Garten project invites people of all ages to look out for amphibians and reptiles in their gardens and report their observations. This will help to fill gaps in existing monitoring and implement better conservation measures for these endangered animals.

What are the aims of the project?

Amphibians and reptiles are among the most endangered animals in the world. In Austria, more than half of the 21 amphibian and 15 reptile species are classified as endangered, critically endangered or already threatened with extinction. The aim of the project is to fill the gaps in the existing monitoring of amphibians and reptiles with the help of citizens and to shed more light on private gardens as habitats for endangered species. In addition, citizens can describe their gardens to characterise environmental parameters, and remote sensing methods will be used to complement species monitoring. This is the first time that the contribution of gardens to habitat connectivity is analysed specifically for aquatic and semi-aquatic animal groups. The garden descriptions will also help to identify structures that are most favourable for particular species.

How can you take part in the research?

Monitoring made easy! Use your favourite app. The website artenzählen.at, which has been specially designed for amphibian and reptile monitoring, allows you to create species reports and garden descriptions in just a few clicks. Photos of all native species and intuitive input options make reporting easy. If you are already reporting frogs, lizards etc. on Naturbeobachtung.at, iNaturalist or Herpetofauna.at, you can continue to do so, as observations from these platforms will also be included in the overall results of the BIOM-Garten project. However, it is important that you mention 'BIOM-Garten' in the comment field so that the sightings can be correctly categorised. And please do not forget the garden description on artenzählen.at.

Picture gallery

• Eastern Green Lizard Eastern Green Lizard
• Common Toad Common Toad
• Aesculapian Snake Aesculapian Snake
• Yellow-bellied Toad Yellow-bellied Toad
• Fire Salamander Fire Salamander
• Slow Worm Slow Worm
• Grass Snake Grass Snake
• Tadpole of the Common Tree Frog Tadpole of the Common Tree Frog
• Common Frog Common Frog
• Spawn of the Agile Frog Spawn of the Agile Frog
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Videos

Explanatory video (in German)

Webinar: Discover the fascinating world of amphibians (in German)

Webinar: Discover the fascinating world of reptiles (in German)

Partners 

This project fulfils version 1.1 of the quality criteria for citizen science projects on Österreich forscht.

A snapshot of soil health

With the SoilBlitz, Citizen Scientists independently carry out tests to determine local soil health, collect important data and become aware of the importance of healthy soils.

What are the aims of the project?

In a so-called ‘SoilBlitz’, five uncomplicated and fast tests are carried out to determine soil indicators such as soil texture and colour, water infiltration rate, earthworm occurrence and vegetation cover. The measurement results for these indicators are documented via an app on the ‘Soil Health Watch’ platform and then analysed. The collected data will be used in the EU project BENCHMARKS to gain an insight into the soil health of different countries and to test and optimise time- and cost-efficient methods. Based on the results, a final report will be prepared and sent to the participants. 

How can you participate in research?

As part of the Citizen Science Award 2025, school classes (aged 10 and over) have the opportunity to take part in an exciting project to measure five soil health indicators. The measurements, which take between 40 and 60 minutes, can easily be carried out in a half-day school day. The results are entered in the online test protocol via an app (or optionally afterwards via a PC) in the ‘Soil Health Watch’ platform. The three school classes with the most entries in the ‘Soil Health Watch’ platform will be rewarded with prizes: €1000 for 1st place, €750 for 2nd place and €500 for 3rd place. All entries submitted by school classes during the participation period from 1 April to 5 July 2025 will be automatically counted. To register, please use the registration form on the website.

This project fulfils version 1.1 of the quality criteria for citizen science projects on Österreich forscht.

Since 1851, we have been researching the changes in weather, climate and nature and what this means for us humans by observing plants and animals. These phenological observations help, for example, in climate research, agriculture and pollen forecasting in order to better deal with climate change.

What are the aims of the project?

Plants act as an integrating measuring instrument for a variety of environmental factors such as weather conditions in the past and current vegetation year. If one analyzes the temporal course of phenological observation data, the influencing factor of air temperature becomes clear, especially in the spring phases in Austria, both in short-term fluctuations and in long-lasting trends. Phenology is therefore an ideal bio-indicator for gradual changes in the climate. Research objectives include

• Climate monitoring in addition to instrumental measurements.
• Temperature sensitivity of phenological events - Does the sensitivity of plants change with the temporal shift of phenological phases?
• Groundtruthing of vegetation indices from satellite observations.
• Further basic plant physiological research - future phenological modeling on an even more plant process-oriented basis.

How can you participate in research?

Find your favorite trees and shrubs in your favorite location and observe and document their development from bud burst and the start of flowering to fruit ripening, leaf coloration and leaf fall through the ten phenological seasons. We are looking for the date for the start of the respective development phases of the so-called indicator plants. You can send this to us in the "Nature Calendar" app with a photo or in the traditional way using a paper form. You can find all the information you need on our website.

• Important indicator plants Important indicator plants
• Snowdrop blossom Snowdrop blossom
• Black elderberry Black elderberry
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Podcast episode

In May 2025, Thomas Hübner (GeoSphere Austria) and Maximilian Bastl (Pollenservice of MedUni Wien) reported on phenological research in our Österreich forscht podcast Wissen macht Leute - you can listen to the episode here (in German).

This project fulfils version 1.1 of the quality criteria for citizen science projects on Österreich forscht.

Many people in Austria feel that colorful butterflies are becoming increasingly rare. Unfortunately, this is also reflected in the European Grassland Butterfly Index, compiled by Butterfly Conservation Europe from datasets across the continent. Since 1990, typical grassland butterflies have declined by 36%.

Since butterfly populations naturally fluctuate from year to year, only long-term standardized monitoring can determine whether numbers are increasing or decreasing. To enable this, the initiative “Austrian Butterfly Conservation” (ABC) was established in Austria.

Where are butterflies counted?

In short: anywhere that interests you. You can count butterflies in your own garden or along a public walking path, for example. The key is to count only those butterflies flying within 5 meters in front of you or 2.5 meters to your left and right. If the observation area is large enough to walk at least 50 meters in one direction, you can even conduct a “transect survey,” which is the international gold standard.

This year, we are especially excited about observations in towns with more than 10,000 inhabitants!

When are butterflies counted?

The highest number of species and butterflies can typically be observed in July and August. If you enjoy counting, we would particularly appreciate additional observations at one- to two-week intervals. If a butterfly species is recorded at the same location three times in a year, the data can already be used to calculate the Grassland Butterfly Indicator!

Participate in four steps

1. Register at „Austrian BMS“
2. Install the ‘Butterfly Count’ app (available for iOS and Android)
3. Familiarise yourself with butterfly species (identification aids and tips at: Links & Downloads | Austrian Butterfly Conservation )
4. Observe butterflies in the garden or another location for 15 minutes in fine weather and enter them directly into the app (German or scientific name)

And don't worry, if you don't know the species, you can still enter the family 'white butterfly' or 'blue butterfly'. The more you go out, the more familiar you will become with your butterflies and you are sure to come across a surprise or two in the insect world.

Often it is necessary to catch the animals in order to identify them, as nature conservation laws vary from country to country. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

We at ABC would be delighted if you would like to become part of the butterfly monitoring programme and hope you have fun observing and counting! If you have any questions or comments, please email us or visit our website.

• Butterfly identification guide Butterfly identification guide
• Documentation in the field Documentation in the field
• Identification workshop Identification workshop
• App for data collection App for data collection
• Excursion; (c) K. Zalneva Excursion; (c) K. Zalneva
• Hauhechel blue (the underside is important for identification) Hauhechel blue (the underside is important for identification)
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This project fulfils version 1.1 of the quality criteria for citizen science projects on Österreich forscht.

The Vienna University of Economics and Business is a public research university in Vienna, and it one of the largest universities in Europe in the field of Economics and Business.  The university is triple accredited (AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA), and it strongly embraces – in addition to excellent research and teaching – its ‘third mission’ to have societal impact, both locally and internationally.

One of the early citizen science projects at the Vienna University of Economics and Business focusses on documenting, analyzing, and mutually learning in terms of good volunteer management practices, for nonprofit organizations and their many active volunteers.

Mental Health around Childbirth

This project focuses on the mental health of parents around childbirth, aiming to detect issues early and provide better support. The goal is to promote the emotional well-being of parents and infants and improve access to support services in Tyrol.

What are the aims of the project?

The Healthy Minds project aims to promote parents' mental health during pregnancy and early parenthood and close existing gaps in care. The focus is on improving the early detection of mental illness and access to suitable support services in Tyrol, particularly in regions with limited resources. The aim is to offer those affected support at an early stage, reduce stigma and raise awareness of perinatal mental health. Through workshops, an awareness campaign and new, needs-based support services, the aim is to promote open dialog and deepen understanding of the challenges of parenthood. The project is based on a participatory approach that actively involves parents in the development and design of interventions in order to create culturally appropriate and effective solutions for affected families in the long term.

How can you participate in research?

Interested citizens can actively participate in the Healthy Minds project and strengthen the mental health of parents in Tyrol by taking part in workshops, focus groups and interviews, contributing their personal experiences and perspectives and thus helping to shape the development of new support services. The evaluation of measures, such as the awareness campaign, also offers the opportunity to directly influence the project. In addition, people can participate in the so-called competence group, which consists of people with lived experience and advises our research activities at irregular intervals. Participation in all our activities can take place both online and offline. Regular updates and opportunities for participation are communicated via newsletters and social media. The aim is to promote close collaboration between citizens and researchers in order to develop practical and culturally appropriate solutions for affected families. Participation is designed to be easily accessible to all interested parties, even without prior knowledge. Every voice counts to create a better understanding of the challenges faced by new parents.

This project fulfils version 1.1 of the quality criteria for citizen science projects on Österreich forscht.

Erlebnis Archäologie is an Austrian association that offers people interested in archaeology the opportunity to take part in archaeological excavations in the form of courses in Austria and abroad without red tape. The association's own research projects are largely financed by course fees.

The aim of Erlebnis Archäologie's excavation courses is not just to get involved in excavations, but rather to provide a comprehensive insight into a research discipline that is very often only treated superficially and frequently misrepresented in the media. Excursions to the area surrounding the respective research project are an important part of the Experience Archaeology programme in order to familiarise participants with the high density of archaeological sites and to show them where our cultural heritage is literally buried in the ground, what threatens it and how we deal with it.

Of course, the focus is on excavation. The Experience Archaeology courses are designed to offer an uncomplicated introduction to active participation in field research. This provides the opportunity to learn about the work of archaeologists - away from the excavation work itself.