iDiv Summer School: International young scientists explore citizen science
Eighteen young international researchers took part in the iDiv Summer School 2019 (Photo: Stefan Bernhardt / iDiv).
Lectures and workshops introducted the participants to different aspects of citizen science (Photo: Stefan Bernhardt / iDiv).
In their own project, the participants produced a short video clip (Photo: Stefan Bernhardt / iDiv).
Note for the media: Use of the pictures provided by iDiv is permitted for reports related to this media release only, and under the condition that credit is given to the picture originator.
After project presentations and a panel discussion, the iDiv Summer School 2019 was concluded on Wednesday August 28. This year’s edition focused on integrated biodiversity sciences through citizen science in theory and practice and was led by Dr Anett Richter, Susanne Hecker and Prof Aletta Bonn of the Ecosystem Services group at iDiv. Eighteen young international researchers were selected to take part in the one-week event. “With lectures and workshops, the attendees learned about different issues concerning citizen science, such as data analysis, data management and science communication,” said Dr Richter. The participants also had the opportunity to consult iDiv group leaders on different topics like Female Career Development or Cross-disciplinary research.
In addition, the participants worked on two summer school projects: science policy impact of citizen science, and communication in citizen science, which as an outcome produced a short video clip. Moreover, pupils from the school project “Coolspots” joined the iDiv Summer School for one day and worked together with the young researchers Ada Chornelia, a summer school participant from the Center for Integrative Conservation at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, described the course as “top-notch, fully packed and managed well considering that participants coming from different knowledge levels of citizen science”. Lara de Macedo Monteiro from the International Institute for Sustainability in Brazil added: “Now I come back to my country, where citizen science is still giving its first steps, with many ideas and willingness to develop new projects and raise awareness about the importance of citizens in scientific research."Many of the summer school participants will stay for the iDiv Conference and present their project results as well as their own research.The iDiv Summer School takes place every year under a different topic chosen by the current lead teacher relating to integrative biodiversity research.Dr Nicole Sachmerda-Schulz
