The invisible power of citizen science
Rob is one of nearly five hundred people in the Netherlands taking part in the Exposome Panel Study. Why does he participate? The answer reveals something about an often invisible force in science: citizen science. In these projects, citizens voluntarily collect data for research.
Rob sits at his kitchen table in the Betuwe, filling in a questionnaire. Two small devices lie on the table: a particulate matter sensor and a GPS tracker. Later, when he goes cycling with his wife, they will come along. A sensor has already been hanging outside his window for almost two weeks, continuously measuring air quality. On his wrist he wears a silicon wristband day and night that captures chemical substances. He also uses a Garmin watch that records his heart rate, movement and sleep.
We gain deeper insight into our own living environment, while also contributing to knowledge that can be applied on a larger scale.
From road safety to the living environment
Rob’s participation in the Exposome Panel Study is part of a larger story. Together with a group of residents, he has been looking at road safety in their town. “In conversations with the municipality, it quickly became clear that the issue was more complex than we thought,” he explains. “Several factors play a role, such as noise and air quality. We decided to take a broader approach and focus on the living environment in our town. When this study came into view, it fitted perfectly with our local ambitions. Through this research we gain insight into our own living environment, while also contributing to knowledge that can eventually be used on a much larger scale.”
Visible and invisible
Participating requires patience. For two weeks, the measurements demand Rob’s attention every day. When he first takes part in a measurement round, it is summer: a time for light clothing and long days outdoors. But wearing sensors inevitably attracts attention. “You become a walking research lab,” Rob says with a smile. “In winter, layers of clothing hide the sensors from view. But in summer? Then they are clearly visible on your trousers or bag. That invites conversation, sometimes inspiring, sometimes uncomfortable. Suddenly you are visible with something that is normally invisible.” The sensor attached to his window also raises questions. Neighbours wonder whether it is a camera and what exactly he is planning.
When wood-burning stoves are in use nearby, it shows up immediately in the measurements.
Seeing connections
Despite the curious looks, it is precisely the visibility of the data that motivates Rob. Participants can follow the measurements from the sensors through a website. “At the beginning, it was important for me to see what I was actually doing,” he explains. “You start to recognise patterns.”
He remembers a cycling trip early on a summer morning. On the website he can see the route he cycled, including the air quality values along the way. “I noticed that the values were extremely high at one point during my ride,” Rob says. “On the map I saw that I had cycled past a small country road with a storage facility nearby. I couldn’t explain it and just left it.” A month later, he reads in the newspaper that the police had shut down a drug lab at that very location. “Because of the strong easterly wind, my sensor may have picked up emissions from the lab, which is why the values showed up in red.”
Through the website, participants also learn how much air quality can vary. “If people nearby are using wood-burning stoves, you see it immediately in the measurements. The same happens when you cycle along a busy road with a lot of traffic. Weather conditions and the time of day also play a role.” But the sensor values do not tell the whole story. Rob wants to understand how researchers work with the data. He is patient when it comes to careful analysis, but he does notice a difference. “Scientists are trained to collect and analyse data, not necessarily to support participants on a daily basis. That human side, answering questions like ‘am I doing this correctly?’ or ‘what are you already seeing?’ is just as important for keeping people motivated.”
More research with citizens
Rob’s experience is not unique. At the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, several other studies also involve citizens. They range from research into the effects of radiofrequency radiation from mobile phones to studies on the impact of fireworks on pets. More than 3,500 pet owners participated in the fireworks study.
Another example is research into how puppies lose their milk teeth and develop their adult teeth. Owners of hundreds of puppies sent photos of their puppy’s teeth on two fixed days each week until the process was complete. The new insights now help veterinarians in preventive veterinary care, for example when planning vaccinations.
The power of the collective
“Participating in studies like this is a personal choice, but in the end it is the power of the collective that matters,” Rob says. “You have to believe that researchers can only conduct this kind of research on a large scale with the help of many citizens. Ultimately, you don’t do it for yourself, but to help science move forward.”
This combination of patience, curiosity and social commitment makes citizen science possible. The invisible force behind visible results.
Text: Martje Ebberink | Image: Thijs Rooimans