31Mar 2025 by Andrea Mason No Comments

Empowering Conservation: Citizen Scientists Take on Bat Research

Blogs, CS Project
Empowering Conservation: Citizen Scientists Take on Bat Research Bats play a crucial role in our ecosystems—pollinating plants, controlling insect populations, and contributing to biodiversity. However, a negative perception has contributed to barriers to conservation and research for bats, along with the need for specialist equipment and skills. Previous research has shown that these ‘non-charismatic species’ tend to attract less funding, resources, and demand for conservation and research, making this a critical barrier to their protection and to the benefits they provide us. Citizen science has the potential to address some of these challenges by engaging the public in hands-on research, increasing data collection capacity, and fostering positive attitudes towards these often-overlooked species. By involving more people in research efforts, can we expand knowledge, shift perceptions, and help bridge the resource…
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02Dec 2024 by Andrea Mason No Comments
ACSA Management Committee

ACSA Management Committee

Blogs, Communication & promotion
At the Annual General Meeting of the Australian Citizen Science Association (ACSA), 20th November 2024, the following were appointed to the Management Committee click here Chair    Annie Lane Vice Chair    Stephanie von GavelTreasurer     Darryl Ebenezer Secretary     Mary-Lou GittinsGeneral members    Steve Turton,  Lisa Evans, Michelle Neil,  Larissa Braz Sousa, Bridie Schultz, and Jessie LongmuirChapter Chairs Daniel Harris-Pascal (ACT), Lynette Plenderleith (NSW), Eva Ford (QLD), Pat Bonney (VIC), Sylvia Clarke (SA) and Alex Chapman (WA) 
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14Aug 2024 by Andrea Mason
National Science Statement and National Science and Research Priorities.

National Science Statement and National Science and Research Priorities.

Blogs
Department of Industry, Science and Resources have released the new National Science Statement and National Science and Research Priorities.Science is at the centre of the Australian Government’s ambition to deliver a Future Made in Australia and respond to 21st century challenges. The statement is a framework to shape science policy and leadership across governments, labs, research institutions and boardrooms, to 2034. The priorities emphasise the science and research we need to solve our greatest challenges. Read more
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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

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…
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19Jun 2024 by Lisa Evans - ACSA No Comments
Exploring the Power of Citizen Science and Nature Connection: The Great Southern Bioblitz Journey

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…
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11Aug 2023 by Lisa Evans - ACSA No Comments
AI-powered photos to help predict catastrophic Australian bushfires

AI-powered photos to help predict catastrophic Australian bushfires

Blogs, CS Project, Engaging citizens, Field-based citizen science
The National Bushfire Resilience Network (NOBURN) is a citizen science project empowering people to use their mobile phones to collect information that will help predict bushfire hotspots and minimise their impact. The project is the culmination of two years’ research through an alliance of world-renowned researchers in artificial intelligence, forestry, human factors and science communication at the University of the Sunshine Coast and University of Adelaide’s Australian Institute for Machine Learning, in partnership with Noosa Shire Council and funded through the Federal Department of Industry, Science and Resources. NOBURN was developed in the wake of the 2019-20 bushfires that burned more than 10 million hectares of forest, destroyed 2000 homes and claimed dozens of lives. For more information, check out their 2-minute video from researcher, Dr Sam Van Holsbeeck, or…
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29Jun 2023 by Lisa Evans - ACSA 4 Comments
Citizen Science in QLD Schools 

Citizen Science in QLD Schools 

Blogs, Communication & promotion, Education, Engaging citizens
In June our social media moderator, scientist, keen citizen scientist and #CitSciOz23 Conference co-convener, Michelle Neil was invited to present to over 150 Queensland primary and secondary school students and their teachers at the 2023 Sustainability and Science Schools Showcase hosted by Queensland’s Office of the Chief Scientist at Queensland Museum’s The Edge.   How do you galvanise the next generation of citizen scientists into action? How do you explain citizen science in fewer than 7 slides and under 3 minutes?  Introducing the tools of citizen science  Have you seen our citizen scientists’ t-shirts? The pictures represent the tools of a citizen scientist. You might use one tool for your project or all of them – there really is no limit.  The tools include; a computer mouse and mobile phone to…
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29Jun 2023 by Lisa Evans - ACSA No Comments
Citizen science – there’s something for everyone, everywhere

Citizen science – there’s something for everyone, everywhere

Blogs, Communication & promotion, Education, Engaging citizens, Meetings and Events
ACSA-WA member Dr Tegan Douglas was thrilled to be able to present to the Lesmurdie branch of the University of the Third Age (U3A) earlier this month. True to the Noongar season of Makuru, the weather was cold and blustery, but not even hail was enough to stop this group of curious minds and life-long learners from gathering at Falls Farm in Lesmurdie to hear about how easy it is to get involved with citizen science. Photo courtesy of Heidi Pember Tegan introduced the group to ACSA, demonstrated how citizen science worked, and the benefits that science and society can get from it. Using her background in bird conservation, she drew examples of how the power of citizen science can track population trends in native and introduced bird species, and…
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