Citizen Science is a research approach that promotes public participation in scientific processes. The spectrum ranges from the collection of scientific data by citizens to more extensive formats of participation in which citizens help shape the content and methodology of research projects. Citizen Science holds enormous potential for science, business and society. Through the provision and analysis of data by citizens, Citizen Science creates new data for research both within and outside DLR. Citizen Science can also be the starting point and driver of social and technological innovations. Through the systematic and early participation of society in research and innovation processes, necessary social transformations are initiated, possible negative consequences of new technologies are recognized at an early stage, and social acceptance for new technologies and solutions is created.
The Department of Citizen Science is focusing on research related to Citizen Science. The Citizen Science Group develops basic concepts and methods in the field of Citizen Science and road-tests them in the context of various Citizen Science projects, including the projects Nachtlicht-BüHNE, AgriSens and UndercoverEisAgenten. With the Join_In_Lab - the Citizen Science Laboratory Jena, the department has well-equipped premises for participatory projects.