On May 21, 2024, Harm op den Akker of SHINE 2Europe presented the plans for Citizen Science activities in the Horizon Europe project “OneAquaHealth”. The presentation was part of a webinar focused on the transformative role of citizen science in tackling environmental and public health issues. The webinar was organized by OneAquaHealth’s project partner Wise Angle Consulting S.L., and showcased how citizen participation and mobile technology can address complex societal challenges.
SHINE 2Europe is one of the partner entities of the OneAquaHealth project and was represented at the “Citizen Science in environmental observation and health research” webinar. Harm op den Akker was the researcher speaking on behalf of SHINE and presented the methods for citizen engagement in the OneAquaHealth project.
SHINE leads Citizen Science efforts in the OneAquaHealth project, focusing on early warning indicators and digital tools like a Citizen Science App to improve environmental monitoring. This approach involves engaging stakeholders to create healthier ecosystems and communities. Citizen science plays a crucial role in OneAquaHealth’s research by shaping data collection, sharing, and usage for accurate monitoring and decision-making. It involves the public collaborating with scientists, extending beyond environmental issues to address complex societal problems at the intersection of public health and the environment.
The session, featuring projects like OneAquaHealth, DRYvER, and E4WARNING, underscored the effectiveness of public engagement in scientific research. Experts shared insights on using mobile apps for data collection and community involvement, with notable contributions, in addition to Harm op den Akker, from Maria Feio, Bálint Pernecker, Elisa Mora, and Frederic Bartumeus.
This webinar was an important opportunity for sharing insights and successful strategies in citizen science, emphasizing the essential role of public involvement and digital technology in promoting healthier communities and sustainable ecosystems.