Science for everyone

20.10.2021 in Featured, Science, Research
Citizen scientists are playing an ever more pivotal role. They collect data, decipher old manuscripts and more – an invaluable resource.
Citizen scientists are playing an ever more pivotal role.
Citizen scientists are playing an ever more pivotal role. (Foto: hobbitfoot / stock.adobe.com)

Genealogy research for science

Citizen scientist Isa Brähler, doctoral student Moritz Müller, citizen scientist Joachim Hassel and project manager Katrin Moeller (from left to right) in the library of St. Mary’s Church where the original church records are kept.
Citizen scientist Isa Brähler, doctoral student Moritz Müller, citizen scientist Joachim Hassel and project manager Katrin Moeller (from left to right) in the library of St. Mary’s Church where the original church records are kept. (Foto: Michael Deutsch)

Isa Brähler and Joachim Hassel are gathering data from old church records as part of a citizen science project. Their efforts form the basis of the work being done by researchers at MLU to find out more about the marriages of 19th-century families in Halle. Their aim is to better understand social class structure at the time. read more >>

Perceptual pitfalls

A Europe-wide citizen science project deals with cowslip - Sabrina Träger coordinates the German-speaking part of it.
A Europe-wide citizen science project deals with cowslip - Sabrina Träger coordinates the German-speaking part of it. (Foto: karamba2106 / stock.adobe.com)

Data from citizen science projects are of great value for research but can potentially lead to skewed results. This was the finding of a study done in collaboration with the University of Halle. What does this mean for such projects? A conversation with co-author Professor Jonathan Chase and Dr Sabrina Träger, who coordinates the German part of a citizen science project on cowslip. read more >>

What is allowed in citizen science?

Timo Faltus
Timo Faltus (Foto: studioline Leipzig)

Citizen science projects enrich science - but a clear legal framework has yet to be established. Therapy-oriented initiatives particularly need a defined ethical and legal research framework. Biologist and lawyer Dr Timo Faltus is currently working to establish this.read more >>

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