The project “Environmental distribution of bisphenol A” investigates the possible spread of bisphenol A (BPA) in our environment. To this end, citizen scientists collect samples (soil, sludge, water, etc.) and send them to our laboratory, where the BPA concentration in the samples is determined.

What are the aims of the project?

Via a public sampling approach, any kind of sample that possibly contains BPA is sent to the lab and BPA concentrations are determined. The team of the project aims at creating a map of the different sample locations with respective BPA concentrations. Detailed data on BPA concentration of each single samples will be made available to every citizen scientist.

How can you participate in research?

Please send us any type of sample (soil, sediment, water, etc.). You can request a sampling kit free of charge on our project page. There you will find instructions on how to take samples. We will test the sample for possible BPA concentrations and send you the results by email. You will be helping us to create a map showing BPA concentrations.

Discrimination is often difficult to grasp, both in everyday life and in research. By involving citizen scientists, we aim to broaden knowledge about discrimination.

What are the aims of the project?

Racist discrimination and stigmatization are difficult to grasp both in everyday life and in research, as they are often hidden behind naturalizations or justified with different rationales and intersectional categories. By involving people with different horizons of knowledge and experience in the analytical process, the citizen science project aims to deepen the sociological understanding of ethnoracial exclusion including the perspectives and interpretations of citizen scientists – thus expanding the interpretations of the academic researchers.

How can you participate in research?

At the beginning of the project, participants are introduced to basics of the analysis of qualitative data. In interpretation workshops, participants then work together in small groups and analyse interview passages from a current research project (for more information see demico.univie.ac.at). They discuss their interpretations and collect important points in writing. Later on, there is also the opportunity to contribute to the publication and presentation of results. Experience with research is NOT a requirement, on the contrary: participants are (adult) persons WITHOUT trainingn in social sciences. The only criterion for participation is an interest in research on the subject of discrimination.

• © DGE - INMI © DGE - INMI
• © DGE - INMI © DGE - INMI
• © DGE - INMI © DGE - INMI
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Austrian Science Fund (FWF): 10.55776/TCS150

A OneWelfare approach studying food vulnerability. 

The project "COwWEL" examines, together with citizen scientists from socio-economically disadvantaged groups, conditions that promote or hinder healthy and sustainable consumption behaviour in these groups, taking into account attitudes toward animals and their welfare. The goal is to develop strategies and information material to promote fairer and more sustainable food systems.

What are the aims of the project?

• Evaluation of conditions that promote or hinder the establishment of healthy and sustainable eating practices for vulnerable groups
• Investigation of the role of concepts of human-animal relationships and the welfare of humans and animals (One Welfare).
• Development of individual and political strategies to promote healthy and sustainable food consumption and creation of supporting materials.
• Contribution to the development of healthier, more inclusive, and sustainable food systems through integration into the main project COwLEARNING.

How can you participate in research?

The target group consists of citizens from three vulnerable groups: Syrians or other people of Arab descent, Ukrainians, and Austrians who have received food from food banks in the last five years. In an initial workshop, hypotheses will be developed together, forming the basis for the creation of a questionnaire. After the questionnaire is created, reviewed, and the citizen scientists are trained in interviewing, data collection will take place (i.e., interviewing individuals from the respective vulnerable groups). Following data analysis by the scientific team, individual, societal, and political strategies for sustainable food consumption in vulnerable groups will be developed in a second workshop together with institutions.

Smart Movement Analysis for Knee Osteoarthritis

ACCESS investigates how knee osteoarthritis affects movement — directly in physiotherapy practices using modern 3D movement-analysis technology. Patients and physiotherapists collaborate with researchers to gain new insights for better treatment.

What are the aims of the project?

ACCESS investigates how knee osteoarthritis affects everyday movement. The goal is to capture movement patterns of patients using innovative 3D motion analysis — directly in physiotherapy practices. Together with physiotherapists, both movement data and information on pain, function, and quality of life are collected. This leads to new scientific insights into how osteoarthritis affects mobility and how therapies can be better tailored. By participating, citizens contribute valuable data to research while gaining insights into modern movement technology and their own health.

How can you participate in research?

You can join ACCESS either as a physiotherapist or as a patient with knee osteoarthritis. Physiotherapists collect movement data using two smartphone cameras to analyze functional tests (Walking, Sit-to-Stand, stair climbing) and health information. Patients voluntarily take part in the 3D motion analysis and complete questionnaires on pain, function, and quality of life. Both groups receive clear instructions and are actively involved in the research — hands-on, anonymous, and directly integrated into everyday therapy.

Maria Krall from the #citizenscience project AmphiBiom shows in a detailed blog post, peppered with photos, how active the project is as part of the Citizen Science Award 2025.

In the PolliDiversity project, students explore flowering areas and observe pollinating insects like wild bees. Using digital tools, they collect scientific data and learn how to protect and experience biodiversity.

What are the aims of the project?

In the PolliDiversity project, students investigate the development of flowering areas using the ReNatura® BW3 Gumpenstein wildflower mixture, observe wild bees and other pollinators, and collect scientific data using digital tools. The goal is to raise young people's awareness of the importance of biodiversity and actively involve them in scientific research. The project is accompanied by a biology education study conducted by the Paris Lodron University of Salzburg, which examines how students’ well-being, emotions, environmental awareness, ecological understanding, species knowledge, and connection to nature change through participation. Additionally, the impact of mindfulness is being explored in a comparison group.

How can you participate in research?

Interested schools can register as project partners and participate with their classes. Students create flowering areas, observe pollinators, and document their findings using digital tools and standardized protocols. They are supported by teaching materials, explainer videos, and booklets. Individuals can also engage by accessing the project’s digital platforms, sharing experiences, and supporting the initiative. All relevant information on how to participate is available on the project website and in the project brochure.

• Students planting the flowering area Students planting the flowering area
• Students identifying the plants Students identifying the plants
• red mason bee (Osmia bicornis) red mason bee (Osmia bicornis)
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In the City-Tree-Soil project, the Federal Research Centre for Forestry (BFW), the Federal Environment Agency (UBA), the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) and the University of Innsbruck are investigating the growth conditions of urban trees in Vienna and Innsbruck. Citizen scientists (schools and the general public) are responsible for recording the growth in thickness. In addition, soil carbon is being measured in both cities.

What are the aims of the project?

The project aims to answer three research questions.

1. Quantification of the impact of urban tree stands on the growth, carbon storage, water storage and infiltration capacity of urban soils.
2. Contributions to determining the carbon balance for the urban areas of Vienna and Innsbruck.
3. Communicating the importance of urban trees for humans and the microclimate, and the necessary functions of the soil for this purpose, to society.

How can you participate in research?

Schools and the general public are encouraged to measure the growth of specially selected trees as often and regularly as possible. This is done by reading a value on a scale (dentrometer) attached to the tree. The value is entered into a form on a smartphone using a QR code and sent. No personal data is collected.

What role can you play in the biodiversity and climate crisis - in the familiar surroundings of your own garden? Citizen scientists implement biodiversity-enhancing measures in their garden, observe animals and plants and are analyzed how their attitudes and behaviors change.

What are the aims of the project?

BIODIVERCITI pursues two core research questions to analyze the impact of its intervention on Citizen Scientists and their gardens: 1. What improvements can be achieved in indicator species? BIODIVERCITI analyzes the effectiveness of adapted gardening and cultivation practices to increase biodiversity. 2. How do individual climate action and efficacy beliefs change? By transforming their own gardens, citizen scientists can develop a sense of control, even if they feel overwhelmed in the face of global crises. In contrast, experiencing personal limitations in achieving quick ecosystem improvements or feeling that they have “already done their part” can undermine subsequent climate action efforts.

How can you participate in research?

Citizen Scientists can participate in BIODIVERCITI by...

• implementing biodiversity-enhancing measures in their own garden
• observing and reporting selected indicator species
• actively exchanging information on implementation and observations with other citizen scientists and the project team
• taking part in seminars and network meetings for improving their personal knowledge and for discussing project results
• taking part in surveys on attitudes and behavior

On 7 May at 2 pm, the third lecture of the summer semester 2025 of our Citizen Science Seminar will take place at BOKU University (in German). This one is about the project ‘Beweisstück Unterhose’. We are very pleased to have Franz Bender from Agroscope as a guest in the seminar.

If you are interested in this lecture and would like to join us online via Zoom, please register using the registration form.

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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