Our approach

Citizen Science: Community-centred, scientifically driven  

Our approach is rooted in a simple but powerful idea: the people most affected by vector-borne diseases should be part of the solution. That’s why we embraced the citizen science approach, bringing together local community members with experts from different fields, including medicine, anthropology, ecology, epidemiology, and communication. By working side by side, community members, scientists and local stakeholders co-create knowledge and co-design disease control interventions. To achieve this, we train and equip local community members in Uganda and DRC to observe and report the presence of vectors (freshwater snails and mosquitoes), the environmental conditions that support them and risky water practices taking place. The data they generate helps develop high-resolution risk maps of potential transmission sites and raise awareness. But citizen science in ATRAP goes beyond data collection. The local community members, also called citizen scientists, lead awareness campaigns, organise educational events, and share best practices for preventing infection. This ensures that information is tailored to the local context, trusted and widely shared, laying the foundation for sustainable long-term impact.

 

 How does it work?

  • Community entry

    Before project implementation, a comprehensive community entry process is conducted. This involves engaging local leaders at different administrative levels, including community members and representatives from key sectors such as the health department, religious and cultural institutions. The goal is to ensure that the community is fully informed about the project’s objectives and that their concerns, knowledge, and experiences are taken into consideration from the outset. This step lays the foundation for genuine partnership and buy-in of the initiative. Key activities in this phase include:
    1. Stakeholder meetings and introductory workshops.
    2. Mapping local needs and priorities.

  • Participant recruitment

    Following the community entry phase, ATRAP established a network of 25 community members in each country, referred to as citizen scientists (CSs). To guide this process, the project team developed a set of selection criteria together with village and district leaders. These included a minimum age of 18, possession of a national ID, basic literacy skills, prior volunteer experience, and gender balance, to ensure effectiveness and inclusivity. Local leaders subsequently applied these criteria to nominate suitable candidates from within their communities, who were then vetted by the research team to confirm their readiness to participate in the project. This joint recruitment process ensures that participants are not only capable but also trusted and respected within their communities. Activities at this stage include:
    1. Co-development of selection criteria with village and district leaders
    2. Identification and nomination of potential citizen scientists by local leaders
    3. Vetting of nominated candidates by the research team
     

  • Training and support

    After recruitment, citizen scientists participate in mandatory training sessions to develop their technical knowledge and practical skills. The training covers key topics such as identifying disease vectors like freshwater snails, understanding disease transmission pathways, using mobile phones for data collection, and conducting field trials. To support their fieldwork, each participant receives essential equipment, including a smartphone, scoop nets, and protective gear.

    In addition to scientific skills, the citizen scientists are equipped to become community educators, raising awareness and sharing prevention strategies through local events and informal networks.

  • Feedback and adaptation

    Continuous feedback is a core part of the project, ensuring improved data quality. Regular feedback loops between citizen scientists and researchers help identify what is working well and where adjustments are needed. This process not only allows for the refinement of tools and knowledge, but also helps minimise errors in the data collected and submitted by citizen scientists. By jointly reviewing data quality and field experiences, the project strengthens data accuracy and local capacity.Feedback is maintained through:
    1. Annual refresher trainings and reflection sessions.
    2. Informal check-ins via a dedicated WhatsApp group.

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