Michelle Neil – Australian Citizen Science Association

19May 2020 by Michelle Neil 3 Comments

Putting a Citizen Science Stamp on it!

ACSA development, Collaboration & partnerships, Communication & promotion

By Michelle Neil At the end of March 2019 I had just returned from the USA Citizen Science Association’s Conference in Raleigh NC and I had just submitted my ACSA blog about my adventures. I was still buzzing about everyone I had met, the sheer volume of people (over 800!) that were at the Conference and how well citizen science was presented plus the funding and grant opportunities and global collaborations that we talked about. Yet back in Australia, I was frustrated. Despite the Australian Citizen Science Association’s (and my) best efforts, many Australians still didn’t know what citizen science is or how anyone can contribute to increase scientific knowledge. My husband, John, overheard my grumbling and, with the latest Australia Post Stamp Bulletin in hand, said, “You know what…

05Apr 2019 by Michelle Neil No Comments

@CitSciTC – A Citizen Science Conference For Everyone

Collaboration & partnerships, Communication & promotion, Conferences

Towards the end of 2019 we will see something that has never happened in citizen science before – our first ever worldwide twitter conference! Do you have a smartphone? An internet connected laptop? A computer with wifi? Does your local library have public computers connected to the internet or provides access to wifi? If so then you can participate. But here’s the great thing - there is no venue to pay for and no accommodation needed so this is the cheapest conference you will ever attend! What is a Twitter Conference? A Twitter conference is a virtual conference that takes place on Twitter under the hashtag #CitSciTC. Just like a regular conference, #CitSciTC will feature research presentations and even keynotes, but the talks will be delivered via a series of tweets…

29Mar 2019 by Michelle Neil No Comments

#CitSci2019, Raleigh, NC USA!

Blogs, Collaboration & partnerships, Conferences, Meetings and Events

By Michelle Neil (ACSA Secretary and social media moderator) “We come together at this conference to learn and work together for positive, productive outcomes.” Every year ACSA sends a member of the Management Committee to a sister citizen science association conference somewhere in the world. This year I was the lucky one, so earlier this month I set off to attend the Citizen Science Association’s #CitSci2019 Conference in Raleigh, North Carolina USA. [caption id="attachment_14580" align="alignleft" width="145"] Flying into Raleigh NC. Population 464,000. Pic: Michelle Neil[/caption] After more than 30 hours of travel I flew into Raleigh at 4am on Tuesday the 12th of March, grabbed an UBER and headed to the hotel. The first day of the conference dawned cold and fine. I headed across the road to the Raleigh…

11Feb 2019 by Michelle Neil No Comments

Launch of ACSA-QLD, Citizen Science Strategy and more!

ACSA development, Communication & promotion

By Michelle Neil, ACSA-QLD member & ACSA Secretary Did you know that the very first meeting to form ACSA started at the Queensland Museum? On the 10th of May 2014 more than 80 people met to develop this community of practice we now call ACSA. It's amazing to realise that it has been less than 5 years ago since it all began... January 24th 2019 was a landmark day for citizen science in Queensland as Minister Leeanne Enoch formally launched the new ACSA-QLD Chapter and announced the Queensland Government’s Citizen Science strategy and grants at the Queensland Museum. Citizen science groups including Cooloola Coast Care, Qld Health’s Zika Mozzie Seeker, Scenic Rim Wildlife, BirdLife Southern QLD, Brisbane Catchments Network, CoralWatch, Healthy Land and Water, Gold Coast Catchment Association, Griffith Centre…

14Jun 2018 by Michelle Neil 1 Comment

Elysia australis – The Elusive Australian

Field-based citizen science, Showcasing science outcomes

It was Sunday the 10th of February 2018. The day dawned a great deal cooler that the previous 40⁰C we had been experiencing in Adelaide that week. A small bus load of tired but happy delegates headed out to visit Aldinga Reef, home of one of ReefWatch SA’s longest running citizen science projects, on the final #CitSciOz18 Road Trip. Approximately 40 minutes later we arrived at Aldinga Beach where we were met with light winds, sunny skies and our citizen scientist hosts; Neville Hudson and Thelma Bridle. [caption id="attachment_7009" align="alignnone" width="960"] Hard rolled ball of seaweed at Aldinga Beach (pic: Michelle Neil)[/caption] After a brief chat we donned our old sneakers or aqua shoes and headed down the long winding raised path to the sand below. Once on the sand…

04Apr 2018 by Michelle Neil No Comments

#CitSciOz18 – An Australian Story

Blogs

By Michelle Neil It's hard to believe that it has been nearly two months since the 2nd Australian Citizen Science Association Conference, #CitSciOz18 in Adelaide, South Australia. For six days I was constantly on the go – averaging around 3-4 hours of sleep per night. #CitSciOz18 featured international keynote speakers Dr. Caren Cooper and Amy Robinson Sterling, along with Australia’s Chief Scientist Dr. Alan Finkel and Eureka Prize for Innovation in Citizen Science 2017 co-recipient Dr. Emilie Ens. The aim of the conference was to showcase best practice in citizen science and share project outcomes from across Australia and the world. Every continent of the world, except Antarctica was represented too. North America, South America, Asia, Europe and Africa were all there as well as our mates from "across the…

Author: Michelle Neil