CCA to examine the state of citizen science in Canada

In recent years, opportunities for public involvement in research and scientific efforts have expanded at the local, national, and international levels, as well as online. Public participation can be critical to science and research initiatives, and in some cases, citizen science offers the potential to improve trust in institutions, leverage digital advances, and strengthen research and innovation capacity. Given Canada’s vast geography and rich biodiversity, a deeper understanding of citizen science could provide valuable insights on how to do it well and explore its broader impacts.

Citizen science—sometimes referred to as community science or participatory science—engages the public as research partners with valuable skills, perspectives, and experiences to contribute. Individuals, community groups, and organizations can participate across diverse fields, such as ecology, astronomy, public health, or history. The type of collaboration most appropriate and effective for a research project will vary and collaboration may begin with communities approaching professional researchers with ideas, or researchers seeking out interested volunteers.

At the request of Public Services and Procurement Canada, the CCA will assess the state of citizen science in Canada and explore how it compares internationally. It will examine how citizen science is helping the country address challenges across fields and disciplines.

An expert panel will be appointed in the coming weeks, with the final report expected to be published in 2027.