Citizen Science in Hungary is a long unexplored field of research and an underused methodology of scientific engagement. However, online media are increasingly reporting on the involvement of citizen scientists in scientific work, and publishing calls for volunteers to participate in scientific crowdsourcing projects.
While participatory research projects have a long history among social scientists, citizen science is slowly but gradually gaining recognition among researchers and NGOs. During the two years of the present research process (2020-22), a number of citizen science initiatives have been launched, particularly in the fields of biology, ecology, agricultural science, urban science and other disciplines.
Researchers from the Environmental Social Science Research Group (ESSRG) conducted 32 semi-structured interviews with project coordinators, community managers, research practitioners, research funders and policy-makers to better understand the uptake of citizen science in Hungarian research institutions and civil society. This exploratory study followed a deductive qualitative analysis method based on thematic coding and categorisation of interviews conducted within the QCAmap programme.
Based on the research findings, this paper presents the following five dimensions unveiled in the interviewing process: (1) co-creation and motivations; (2) research findings; (3) impact; (4) challenges; (5) policy-level visions and plans and (6) conclusion. The summary also provides a brief critical overview of policy-level initiatives focusing on citizen science and their current and future potential.