Lisa Evans – ACSA – Australian Citizen Science Association

10Feb 2026 by Lisa Evans - ACSA No Comments

What’s next for fish and marine citizen science in Australia?

A Reef Ecologic and Australian Citizen Science Association Initiative Reef Ecologic and Australian Citizen Science Association developed a document to support discussion, feedback, identify gaps and suggest a way forward for action and collaboration around the role of citizen science in the fish and marine environment in Australia. Here we pose a number of questions and recommendations that require more information, consultation and greater analysis at both a regional (e.g. Queensland) and national level: 1. What is the value of citizen science in nature and the fish/marine environment?2. What is the extent of fish and marine citizen science projects in Australia?3. Where does citizen science sit within the Australian government policy and funding landscape?4. How is citizen science recognised in an international policy context?5. What is the role of peak bodies or “backbone” organisations in supporting and enhancing the impact…

19Dec 2025 by Lisa Evans - ACSA No Comments

2025 ACSA Seed Grant Winner

CS Project, Grants, Showcasing science outcomes

ACSA is thrilled to announce that the 2025 ACSA Seed Grant has been awarded to Brady Hamilton, a graduate researcher in the School of Life and Environmental Sciences at Deakin University. The $2,000 grant will go towards “translating community pesticide monitoring data into an open, interactive, and visually effective online tool to increase impact of citizen science data” as part of the Pesticide Watch project. Pesticide WatchBrady Hamilton - Deakin UniversityPesticide residues are among the greatest drivers of biodiversity loss in aquatic ecosystems, affecting organisms in diverse freshwater environments at all trophic levels. Nearly 1,000 different pesticide active constituents are registered for use in Australia, including many which are banned or restricted overseas due to acute or chronic risk to aquatic fauna and flora. Despite this, Australia lacks a cohesive,…

13Oct 2025 by Lisa Evans - ACSA No Comments

Seed Grants 2025 – Call for applications!

Blogs, Grants

What’s in it for you? $2,000 in seed funding to help kickstart your citizen science initiative, covering essential project costs such as equipment, materials, or participant outreach, or assist with publication costs for an open access journal. Social Media Promotion: Dedicated promotion of your project and organisation across our social media platforms, giving your work increased visibility and helping you engage a wider audience in your research journey. Mentoring (optional): Access to experienced professionals who will provide personalized guidance, helping you overcome challenges and maximize your impact. Training in Grant Writing (optional): Specialized workshops that will equip you with the skills and knowledge to pursue further funding opportunities, helping you sustain and expand your project beyond the seed phase. Motivation to initiate something you have always wanted to do. A…

30Jan 2025 by Lisa Evans - ACSA 2 Comments

Save the Date for #CitSciOZ25

Communication & promotion, Conferences, Meetings and Events

SAVE THE DATEOctober 13–15, 2025Melbourne, VIC #CitSciOz25 – A Catalyst for Change We’re excited to announce the 6th Australian Citizen Science Association (ACSA) conference, happening this October at Melbourne Connect, Parkville. #CitSciOz25 is your chance to exchange bold ideas, expand your network, and learn how citizen science can be the catalyst for transformative change in your community. The event will bring together practitioners, researchers, government agencies, and community leaders to showcase the latest innovations and insights from Australia and beyond. Don’t miss your chance to shape the future of citizen science at Australia’s leading event! Calls for contributions—covering presentations, workshops, and posters—will open in May 2025. For more information about the conference, please visit the #CitSciOz25 conference page which now has all the details. More information is added there as…

19Nov 2024 by Lisa Evans - ACSA No Comments

2024 ACSA Seed Grant Winner

Communication & promotion, CS Project, Grants, Social research in CS

ACSA is very pleased to announce that the 2024 ACSA Seed Grant has been awarded to Kelly Sheldrick and the Conservation Council of WA. This year, the Seed Grant is a combination of $2,000 in financial support, along with additional benefits to be discussed - such as mentoring, grant writing support, promotion, or other non-financial assistance. This grant will go towards "quantifying the power of citizen science to change perspectives of an historically unloved taxa, bats, and collectively identifying effective conservation actions to support bats in a sprawling city". Participants in a training session for surveying bat populations Conservation Council of WAKelly SheldrickThe negative perception towards bats has impacted their conservation and research. This has led to bats being missed from grassroots initiatives and land management plans, as well as…

28Oct 2024 by Lisa Evans - ACSA No Comments

Notice of the 2024 ACSA AGM

ACSA development, Meetings and Events

This notice is to advise members of the Australian Citizen Science Association Inc. (ACSA) of the upcoming Annual General Meeting. The details of this meeting are as follows: Date:20 November 2024Time:AGM will commence at 13.00 and end at 13:55 AEDT (NSW)Place:Online (Google Meet)RSVP & Proxy:Please submit this online form ASAP to help us ensure we meet quorum requirements Please find links to forms and documents: an 2024 ACSA AGM Agenda for this meeting previous 2023 AGM minutes ACSA Annual Report 2023-2024 an online form where you can: RSVP to attend the ACSA AGM online indicate your intent to appoint another ACSA member to be your Proxy and attend the AGM on your behalf, or send a formal Apology letting us know you are unable to attend the AGM. Contact Us if…

29Sep 2024 by Lisa Evans - ACSA No Comments

Seed Grants 2024 – Call for applications!

Communication & promotion, CS Project, Grants, Showcasing science outcomes

What’s in it for you? $2,000 in seed funding to help kickstart your citizen science initiative, covering essential project costs such as equipment, materials, or participant outreach, or assist with publication costs for an open access journal. Social Media Promotion: Dedicated promotion of your project and organisation across our social media platforms, giving your work increased visibility and helping you engage a wider audience in your research journey. Mentoring (optional): Access to experienced professionals who will provide personalized guidance, helping you overcome challenges and maximize your impact. Training in Grant Writing (optional): Specialised workshops that will equip you with the skills and knowledge to pursue further funding opportunities, helping you sustain and expand your project beyond the seed phase. Motivation to initiate something you have always wanted to do. A…

19Aug 2024 by Lisa Evans - ACSA No Comments

Relive #CitSciOz23 on the ACSA YouTube channel

Communication & promotion, Conferences

ACSA's 2023 national conference was held on the Sunshine Coast from 21 to 23 November 2023, hosted by the University of the Sunshine Coast. It was an epic meeting of the minds, with presentations ranging from data best practice, to citizen science in backyards and gardens, climate change, schools and education, and the latest thinking about science communication and engagement, among many other topics. All presentations in the main auditorium were recorded, and we also have a number of pre-recorded talks from speakers who couldn't make it in person. These videos were made available to registered attendees earlier this year, and were recently opened to the public on the ACSA YouTube channel. Explore our playlist of keynote presentations, or the full playlist of recorded presentations.

24Jun 2024 by Lisa Evans - ACSA No Comments

Two ACSA chairs reflect on their experiences and the growth of ACSA over the past 10 years

ACSA development, Blogs

Erin Roger ACSA Chair (2016-2021) ACSA turning 10 this year is something we should all be really proud of. The association is what it is today because of the tireless time and dedication of mostly volunteers (as well as some excellent paid staff) in addition to all the members (individuals and organisations) who have supported it. I remember being at the inception meeting in Brisbane on May 6th, 2014, and it was filled with committed people wanting to make ACSA a reality. From those early days, ACSA has grown into a well-regarded and established source of best practice information, collaboration, coordination, and advocacy for citizen science. Being the chair of ACSA was a huge privilege. I had some outstanding opportunities during my tenure such as getting to travel to Nairobi…

19Jun 2024 by Lisa Evans - ACSA No Comments

Exploring the Power of Citizen Science and Nature Connection: The Great Southern Bioblitz Journey

Blogs, CS Project, Engaging citizens, Field-based citizen science, Grants, Social research in CS

Authors: Larissa Braz Sousa, Nicole Miller, Seamus Doherty, Peter Crowcroft, Michelle Neil, Stephen Fricker Across the globe's diverse landscapes, a quiet revolution is taking place. It's a movement where everyday people, armed with curiosity and a passion for nature, are driving scientific discovery forward. This revolution is citizen science, and at its core are initiatives like the Great Southern Bioblitz (GSB), celebrating the awe-inspiring biodiversity of the southern hemisphere—from the majestic eucalyptus trees to the intricate beauty of tiny species. The GSB is a citizen science initiative designed to observe as many species as possible during the Southern Hemisphere's spring. Launched in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic and devastating bushfires in Oceania and South America, the GSB was inspired by the City Nature Challenge. Beginning in Australia, it quickly spread…

Author: Lisa Evans - ACSA