Bekijk de inhoud van deze pagina
Citizen Science @ UHasselt
Science is for everyone. Through Citizen Science, citizens and UHasselt researchers work together to answer societal questions. View all UHasselt projects here and discover how you can get involved.
What is Citizen Science?
According to Scivil, the Flemish Knowledge Center for Citizen Science, citizen science is "scientific research conducted, in whole or in part, by non-scientists (citizens), often in collaboration with or under the guidance of professional scientists." For a detailed definition, we refer to the 10 principles of citizen science formulated by the European Citizen Science Association.
Citizen science is a broad term. Your role depends entirely on the project: from testing the soil quality in your garden or installing a smart sensor on your outside wall to transcribing texts. In some projects, citizens even help formulate research questions or disseminate results. Whether you contribute once or are deeply involved in the research process: your participation makes a difference for science.
Why UHasselt invests in Citizen Science
As a civic university, UHasselt aims to bridge the gap between the academic world and society. Citizen science is therefore an essential part of our vision for Open Science. It allows the public to actively participate in research. Through this, you learn more about scientific processes, and public understanding of science grows.
For our researchers, this collaboration also provides enormous benefits. It offers access to large amounts of data from otherwise inaccessible locations and provides fresh, new insights. It is a true win-win situation.
Ongoing projects
Enforce: Soil Remediation
In collaboration with the Province of Antwerp, UHasselt is investigating the impact of toxic PFAS and heavy metals in private gardens located near busy industrial zones. Local citizens actively participate in this vital research by growing specific test plants and closely monitoring soil health via advanced digital sensors.
Field Research Centre
At the edge of 'Nationaal Park Hoge Kempen', UHasselt joins forces with partners for biodiversity research. Volunteers collect crucial data on local fauna and flora, while advanced, controlled climate experiments take place in the Ecotron. This provides insights into how nature responds to climate change.
FlatWormWatch
Help track rare land flatworms, as these hidden invaders pose a serious threat to our local soil and biodiversity. By simply reporting any sightings in your own garden, you can help UHasselt scientists and their partners effectively map these invasive species. Together, we can protect our delicate ecosystems against them.
IMR blue zone
This large-scale project investigates how we can effectively improve our daily lifestyle. Participating citizens closely monitor their own health using wearable devices and digital surveys. This valuable data helps researchers and healthcare providers develop practical guidelines and learning modules for a healthier society.
Limburgs Birth Cohort
Help discover how the environment influences the long-term health of our children. From birth until their teenage years, we follow your child's development. Participation in tests and surveys provides insights into the influence of genes and surroundings on a healthy future for next generations.
Stiemerlab
UHasselt actively works alongside Genk residents, researchers, and partners to monitor the water quality of the Stiemerbeek. Citizens measure pollution levels and biodiversity via advanced digital sensors. This vital, long-term monitoring maps the 'Stiemervallei' while significantly increasing local public awareness.
THINK³ lab
In the innovative THINK³ lab, you test and devise smart healthcare solutions together with researchers, focusing on better support for informal caregivers or safe medication use. By sharing your personal experience as a patient or citizen, you actively help scientists make care significantly more human and simpler for everyone.
WASP Project
Why do we protect one specific animal species and not another? In this global study, you help scientists deeply understand how people view biodiversity. By simply assessing various images of animals and plants, you contribute to a giant database that helps make future nature conservation much fairer and far more effective.
Completed projects
Bodemleven
How healthy is the soil right beneath your feet? In this large-scale study, UHasselt and 1,000 Limburg residents mapped the biological richness of their own garden soil. By collecting crucial data on private plots that would otherwise be inaccessible to scientists, we gained unique insights into local biodiversity and soil quality.
Co-Ci Phil
UHasselt collaborates with various universities to develop citizen science in the Philippines. Through workshops and training sessions, teachers and researchers learn to set up sustainable, eco-oriented projects. This trajectory supports the Philippine Citizen Science Network and strengthens local expertise and cooperation.
Grootste Limburgonderzoek
In close collaboration with Het Belang van Limburg, UHasselt surveys thousands of local residents about their well-being, identity, and the overall future of Limburg. This data provides a unique, comprehensive picture and helps researchers identify key local societal trends and needs.
I-Change
In the 'Hasselt Living Lab' (IMOB), citizens investigate how their daily choices affect the climate. Using advanced MeteoTrackers, participants map temperature differences between paved and green neighborhoods while calculating their own CO₂ emissions. These direct insights motivate residents to reduce their ecological footprint.
In de BRES voor water
The Province of Limburg and UHasselt joined forces to map the impact of drought on local streams. Using a dedicated app, citizens measure water levels and ecological quality in their own neighborhoods. This valuable data makes it possible to take tailored drought-mitigation measures for specific streams in the future.
Smartschool Intelligent Signal Function
Together with teachers and students, UHasselt is actively investigating how AI can ethically provide early support for learning difficulties. Through interactive workshops, public values are safeguarded, ensuring that this technology complements rather than replaces vital human support in our modern education system.
Get Started
For Citizens & Participants
Curious for more? Find dozens of ongoing citizen science projects in Flanders on Iedereen Wetenschapper
Do you have a scientific question you cannot find an answer to? Ask an expert via Ikhebeenvraag.be
For Researchers
Do you have your own citizen science project underway or in development? Let us know via wetenschapscommunicatie@uhasselt.be so we can include it here.
Do you want to start, fund, or communicate a project? Take a look at these resources:
- Knowledge Center Scivil is the primary point of contact for citizen science in Flanders. Discover their projects, guides, and manuals.
- What should a good project satisfy? The European Citizen Science Association (ECSA) has listed the 10 most important guidelines.
- Share your expertise or find inspiration within the largest European citizen science platform.
Curious about what we have already achieved together? Dive into the stories of our Citizen Science projects!
A question or comment?
Do you have a question, comment, or do you wish to receive more information about Citizen Science? Please contact wetenschapscommunicatie@uhasselt.be
For specific support regarding data management (DMP) or privacy issues (GDPR) within your project, the RDM-support of the library is happy to help you further. Do you want to know more about the broader context? Take a look at the Open Science-page.