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Short Abstract

Neuro(Minorities)Science - an online group of neurodivergent citizen scientists and allies - explored accessibility needs of neurominorities and created guidelines for stakeholders and policymakers, including citizen science platforms and science communicators, to improve inclusivity for all.

Abstract

Neurodivergent people - people with mental health and neurological conditions and differences – actively participate in digital citizen science. The 2024 survey of 7873 Zooniverse users showed that for many of them participation in crowdsourced research is an accessible and enjoyable route to make contributions to society and science. Yet most or all citizen science platforms and science communication systems were developed without regard for neurominorities’ needs. Our lived experience research group, Neuro(Minorities)Science, has worked to fill this gap.

Adult neurodivergent people and allies with experience contributing to digital citizen science projects on platforms like Zooniverse, iNaturalist, ECS, CisSci and SciStarter, formed an online working group to create actionable guidelines for inclusion of neurodivergent volunteers. This group of 80+ participants from different countries has worked together, online, led by the University of Oxford neurodivergent researcher Dr. Alisa Apreleva.

This work has resulted in a comprehensive list of features conducive of creating “an environment that benefits all and is crucial to some” (Elsherif et al, 2022) on citizen science platforms, globally. Whilst some of the recommendations are focused on the accessible design of online interfaces (e.g. opt-in colourblind or dyslexia features), other are closely related to science communication and engagement (e.g. unambiguous projects descriptions, use of plain language, presenting information in a variety of modes, translations for non-English speakers, etc), with significant implications for future policy for stakeholders like ECS and COALESCE.