Digitalization of the sphere of citizen science in Russia. Prospects and barriers to development

Abstract

The article examines the digitalization issues of scientific volunteering and the digitalization prospects of this industry using the example of various online initiatives of citizen science. The effectiveness problem of digital technologies for the implementation of citizen science projects is considered in the context of the experience of implementing specific programs of various volunteer projects in this area. The article analyzes the websites, documents and activity of five research projects in the field of citizen science on technical, natural science and humanitarian initiatives. The conducted research made it possible to determine the positive role of citizen science digitalization. However, the problems of digital gaps, as well as the insufficient digitalization of citizen science projects, create barriers to the full implementation of such projects, which also have a significant educational function. At the same time, the study also notes the important role of creating networks of such projects and expanding the large range participation of interested persons in such projects, which will contribute to the systematic and structural development of citizen science digital initiatives in the future. Of particular importance for the development of such initiatives is the volunteers’ involvement, as well as various interested persons, and the participation expansion in such initiatives of participants from small towns and the accessibility creation of such projects.