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Short Abstract

A representative survey of 1,000 Austrians shows who engages in citizen science (and who does not). Higher-educated persons are more likely to join, while others see it as irrelevant or “boring.” Findings highlight barriers across groups and inform strategies to reach the hard-to-reach.

Abstract

Project leaders in citizen science often claim: “Everyone can take part in our project.” But who actually participates, and, more importantly, who does not? Which demographic groups are reached through existing initiatives and platforms, and which remain excluded? Are rural residents more likely to get involved than city dwellers? Is citizen science unintentionally an “elite program”? And what motivates some people to join while others express no interest at all?

To address these questions, a representative survey of 1,000 people living in Austria was conducted. Respondents were asked about their awareness of citizen science, their willingness to participate and their reasons for engagement (or lack thereof). The findings reveal a clear educational divide: people with higher levels of education are interested in participating in citizen science projects, whereas those who are older with lower levels of formal education more often perceive citizen science as unappealing or even “boring.” Moreover, reasons for non-participation vary widely across demographic groups, ranging from lack of time and resources to unfamiliarity with the concept, to scepticism about the value of participation.

Understanding why certain groups remain disengaged (knowledge that is still scarce in the field) is crucial for designing more inclusive projects. The survey results serve as a basis to discuss implications for developing citizen science initiatives that truly broaden participation and tap into the potential of currently “hard-to-reach” groups.