Open education and citizen science: Empowering global participation for sustainable development
- Mei Kimura
- May 25
- 3 min read
Open education and citizen science are transforming the landscape of global learning and research. By promoting inclusive access to knowledge and fostering participatory scientific inquiry, these movements are instrumental in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Their emphasis on collaboration and open access is pivotal in addressing complex global challenges and ensuring equitable development.
Open education: Expanding access to learning
Open education encompasses practices and resources that are freely accessible, openly licensed, and designed for reuse and adaptation. This approach includes open textbooks, Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), and collaborative digital platforms, aiming to democratise education and promote lifelong learning.
UNESCO's 2019 Recommendation on Open Educational Resources (OER) has catalysed global efforts, with 193 member states adopting the framework. By April 2025, over 4,500 participants from 112 countries engaged in OER events, reflecting a broad commitment to open education . Additionally, the OER Dynamic Coalition has grown to over 700 members across 90 countries, with women comprising 53% of its membership .
These initiatives align with SDG 4 – Quality Education, promoting inclusive and equitable access to education. They also support SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure by fostering digital infrastructures that facilitate innovation and knowledge sharing.
Citizen science: Engaging the public in research
Citizen science involves public participation in scientific research, allowing individuals to contribute to data collection, analysis, and dissemination. This participatory approach bridges the gap between science and society, enhancing scientific literacy and empowering communities.
Platforms like iNaturalist have seen substantial growth, with 8.5 million registered users contributing over 230 million biodiversity observations as of March 2025 . Similarly, the Great Backyard Bird Count engaged 385,000 participants from 192 countries in 2022, highlighting the global reach of citizen science initiatives .
These efforts contribute to SDG 13 – Climate Action by enabling communities to monitor environmental changes and inform policy decisions. They also support SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities through local data collection that informs urban planning and resilience strategies.
Synergising efforts for sustainable development
The integration of open education and citizen science creates a synergistic effect, enhancing the capacity to address the SDGs. By combining open access to educational resources with participatory research, these movements foster a more informed and engaged global citizenry.
For instance, citizen-generated data can fill gaps in official statistics, contributing to 40% of the environmental SDG indicators . This collaborative approach ensures that diverse perspectives inform sustainable development strategies, promoting inclusivity and equity.
Challenges and opportunities
Despite their potential, open education and citizen science face challenges, including ensuring data quality, addressing digital divides, and securing sustainable funding. Efforts to validate citizen-generated data through artificial intelligence and machine learning are underway, enhancing the reliability of contributions.
Addressing digital inclusion is critical, as internet access and digital literacy remain uneven globally. Initiatives like the Digital Empowerment Foundation work to bridge these gaps, ensuring broader participation. Moreover, integrating these practices into national education and research systems can provide stability and scalability.
Global collaboration: A collective responsibility
Achieving the SDGs requires concerted efforts from governments, educational institutions, civil society, and international organisations. Policies that support open access and public engagement in science are essential. Collaborative frameworks, such as the Citizen Science Global Partnership, facilitate the integration of citizen science into global policy processes.
Private foundations, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Mozilla Foundation, play a vital role in supporting open knowledge infrastructures. Their investments help build resilient systems that underpin sustainable development efforts.
Open education and citizen science are transformative approaches that empower individuals and communities to contribute to sustainable development. By fostering inclusive access to knowledge and promoting participatory research, they enhance the capacity to address global challenges. Continued support and integration of these practices are essential to achieving the SDGs and ensuring a sustainable future for all.
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