Have you ever wanted to involve community members in meaningful scientific research? Whether you’re an educator, scientist, conservation professional, nonprofit leader, or engaged volunteer, citizen and community science can be a powerful way to connect people with real-world research while generating valuable data and community impact.
This summer, the University of New Hampshire is offering a unique professional development opportunity designed to help participants build the skills needed to create successful participatory science projects.
Citizen & Community Science: Designing Projects for Research and Engagement
July 17 – September 1, 2026
100% Online | 36 Hours | Noncredit
This flexible online course explores the purpose, promise, and practice of citizen and community science (also known as participatory science). Participants will gain hands-on experience designing projects that engage volunteers, collect meaningful data, and create lasting educational and community benefits.
The course is led by Malin Ely Clyde and Dr. Alyson Eberhardt, experienced professionals with decades of expertise working alongside volunteers in scientific research. The curriculum builds on the University of New Hampshire’s longstanding leadership in the field of citizen science.
What You’ll Learn
Participants will:
- Experience citizen science from the perspective of a participant
- Define science, learning, and public impact goals for a project
- Design a new citizen or community science project
- Identify target audiences and develop recruitment, training, management, and recognition strategies
- Implement robust scientific practices that support accurate and useful data collection
- Develop a customized project pitch supported by a complete project portfolio
In addition, each participant may schedule an optional 30-minute one-on-one coaching session with an instructor to receive personalized guidance on project design challenges and questions.
Flexible Learning Designed for Busy Professionals
The course is fully online and primarily asynchronous, allowing participants to engage with videos, activities, and discussions on their own schedules.
Optional Live Zoom Sessions
- July 29, 2026 | 4:00–5:00 PM ET
- September 1, 2026 | 4:00–5:00 PM ET
Participants who successfully complete the course will receive a microcredential and certificate of participation.
Who Should Attend?
This course is open to a wide range of participants, including:
- Environmental and natural resource professionals
- Educators and informal science educators
- Researchers and scientists
- Community organizations and nonprofits
- Volunteers interested in public participation in science
Anyone looking to engage communities in authentic scientific research will find practical tools and strategies they can apply immediately.
What Past Participants Are Saying
“Taking this course has been a transformative experience for me. It has significantly strengthened my ability to develop, execute, and evaluate citizen science projects. What stood out most was the emphasis on balancing scientific rigor with community engagement, which will be invaluable in my professional work. I now feel better equipped to design projects that empower communities and produce meaningful data.”
— Jóhann Helgi Stefánsson, Iceland
Space Is Limited
Enrollment for the Summer 2026 session is limited to eight participants, so interested individuals are encouraged to register soon.
Questions about course content can be directed to Malin Ely Clyde at Malin.Clyde@unh.edu.
Questions about registration can be directed to Valerie Brodeur at Valerie.Brodeur@unh.edu, who can also provide access to an informational webinar for prospective participants.
Ready to get started? Register today and learn how to design citizen and community science projects that inspire participation, generate meaningful data, and create lasting impact. https://training.unh.edu/citizen-community-science-designing-projects-research-engagement
