Citizen Science Association
CitSciVirtual 2021
With ideas from across this community, CitSciVirtual (live throughout May 2021) merged the best elements of conferencing with the unique opportunities of going online. The event series aimed not just to connect, but to engage.
Through CitSciVirtual, attendees met to exchange ideas with others advancing work in this field: educators, community leaders, scientists, students, technologists, data managers, and more.
Across this broad field, we know that we do science better, together.
REGISTRANTS: There is still time to become a CSA member for extended access to CitSciVirtual content as well as other benefits throughout the year.
Event Overview
The vast majority of CitSciVirtual content is available to access, browse, and engage with on your own time in the event platform. This includes workshop lessons, all posters, and direct access to message presenters and participants at any hour.
Keynotes and Plenary Presentations
Two Keynotes and four additional Plenary Sessions brought inspiring ideas into conversation.
Opening Keynote:
Dr. Mustafa Santiago Ali
The Power of Policy, Science, Race, and Community
3 May, 12-2 US Eastern
Closing Keynote:
Sylvia Acevedo
Science Confidence and Competence: Impact at Scale
24 May, 12-2 US Eastern
Additional CitSciVirtual Plenary Sessions:
Mapping, analyzing, and communicating citizen science information using field tools, web GIS, dashboards, and story maps
10 May, 12-1:30 US Eastern
Always on the Frontlines: Historically Black Colleges and Universities Engaging in Citizen Science and Community Science
17 May, 12-1:30 US Eastern
Leading Discovery: Volunteers in their own voices
Friday 21 May, 12-1:30 US Eastern
Celebrating Scientific Achievements: A Conversation with The Zooniverse’s Chris Lintott
Saturday 22 May, 12-1:30 US Eastern
Full details on all plenary sessions and speakers available here.
Workshops
CitSciVirtual featured over 60 workshops with rich asynchronous content for engagement at any hour. Live sessions focused on engaged activities – relevant portions are available to registrants as recordings.
Workshops were led by leaders and innovators in the field: some you know, and some you haven’t met yet. Sessions were designed to deepen practice and building a wide range of skill sets to support work in the field.
Explore the full list of workshop offerings.
Posters
Posters formed the heart and soul of CitSciVirtual.
In the online event space (also the CSA member engagement platform), “posters” are rich media offerings and are available for engagement convenient to any device and time zone.
Posters offered spaces for connections – in the event platform, you can easily meet new colleagues or collaborators who are sharing their interests and expertise from the other side of the globe.
Over 250 authors shared their research and insights. Live sessions throughout the month of May showcased authors in conversation around similar interests.
Explore poster details more deeply here.
(click that link to also access the full, sortable and searchable, list of posters)
Special Events
Brown bags,
Open space forum,
Happy hours,
Speed networking,
Trivia,
Student mixer…
CitSciVirtual emphasized engagement!
The networking does not need to end. CSA Connect is the new and permanent home for member engagement. Join in for ongoing access to live sessions like these!
Image: participants at CitSci2019. Photo by Marilu Lopez Fretts.
And Introducing…
In partnership with SciStarter and NASA, CitSciVirtual launched a new event called CitSciCon, celebrating the volunteer experience in contributions to science. May 21-22 – Full details and event recordings here.
Valuing Full Community Engagement
This year has underscored for everyone that advancing equitable citizen science is a shared responsibility and is relevant to all of our work. As a commitment to advancing equity in this field, we are encouraging all presenters to reflect on ways their work confronts issues such as diversity, accessibility, inclusion, or other anti-bias and anti-racist practices in science.
CSA is committed to providing an equitable and inclusive virtual conference and celebrating the diverse voices in our space. CSA strives to offer events that ensure all members and participants feel welcome and comfortable sharing their insights and contributions with the larger citizen science community, and that everyone can fully and authentically engage.
Sponsors, Supporters, and Partners
We are actively seeking sponsors to ensure equitable engagement opportunities for all participants.
We have a growing list of stellar event supporters, all interested in high-level opportunities to connect with influencers, engage with thought leaders, and the chance to reach hundreds of thousands of people taking part in projects around the globe. Join them! We create custom opportunities for each sponsor, with many options for impact, accessibility and visibility. If you are interested in a sponsorship or have ideas for a potential sponsor, please email citscivirtual@citizenscience.org.