Citizen CyberScience ─ New Directions and Opportunities for Human Computation

Abstract

Have you ever heard glowing reviews of the next best thing – a tool that will solve all problems – and then immediately become skeptical? Why are we to believe such claims and adopt new innovations? The proclamations above regarding citizen cyberscience starting this special issue originate from participants attending and/or discussing the third annual Citizen Cyberscience Summit, held at the Royal Geographical Society and University College, London, February 20th and 22nd, 2014. But, what is citizen cyberscience? Is this phenomenon worthy of such reviews? What current applications illustrate the benefits of citizen cyberscience for research and public engagement and why? This special issue sheds light on these questions by providing examples of citizen cyberscience; offering a snapshot of the myriad diverse approaches, topics, and projects covered at the Summit; and setting a course for the future. But first, a little background.