We want to anchor citizen science sustainably in the research landscape and make citizen science findings usable for society, politics and science. Here you can find information about our networks and the projects at the Museum für Naturkunde.
The Citizen Science working group researches and promotes participatory research. As the scientific coordinator of the platform mit:forschen! and through our involvement in local, national and European projects, we investigate citizen science, support initiatives and promote knowledge transfer through events and advice.
What is Citizen Science?
Whether collecting mosquitoes, observing the starry sky or describing works of art - everyone has the opportunity to support the work of scientists and thus create new knowledge. Citizens thus become part of the research process and, depending on how they participate, can actively help shape it and satisfy their own curiosity.
Netzwerkprojekte am Museum für Naturkunde Berlin
The German network for Citizen Science: Here citizens can find projects to participate in and researchers in Citizen Science can explore resources and networking opportunities. mit:forschen! is the centre of a growing Citizen Science network with thematic and regional working groups. As a central point of contact for the citizen science community in Germany, mit:forschen! provides information about citizen science and connects the public, scientific partners and civil society actors. In addition to online formats such as the Digital Lunch Break, mit:forschen! also organises the annual Citizen Science Forum, the conference for Citizen Science in Germany. Here, current developments and findings from the community are discussed, experiences are exchanged and new synergies are explored. mit:forschen! is actively involved in current science policy developments and is committed to promoting and strengthening citizen science both nationally and internationally.
European Citizen Science aims to create a globally networked, integrative and strong citizen science community for social change in Europe. Within this project, the MfN team is leading a work package on policy engagement and impact.
The main objective of the project is to establish an EU-wide network of interconnected citizen science projects. A combined support programme of direct funding and support services will be provided to a group of high potential citizen science initiatives.
Citizen science enables people with very different backgrounds, experience, and knowledge to conduct research together. This opens up new perspectives and opportunities for science. But there are also challenges. How can a trusting collaboration succeed despite all the differences? How is this type of research perceived by the scientific community and the public? The joint project ‘Trust in Citizen Science’ (TiCS), a co-operation between the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin (MfN), the TU Braunschweig and the LMU Munich, is dedicated to these and other questions. The project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.
How can urban waters and their biodiversity be protected, improved and utilized with care? The network is pursuing the goal of advancing the ambitious implementation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) in Berlin with the active participation of citizens. This includes the preservation of natural drinking water resources as well as groundwater-dependent moors, floodplains, and forests. The ‘Wassernetz Berlin’ is a civil society network for water protection and biodiversity conservation.
Past Projects