Towards a framework for the monitoring and evaluation of citizen science for health

Monitoring and evaluating projects is important to ensure that the project proceeds smoothly and
desired goals and deliverables are met. Several monitoring and evaluation frameworks have been
developed to evaluate citizen science projects. Citizen science for health is an upcoming domain
within citizen science; however, citizen science for health differs from other domains, such as
biodiversity or geo-science, with regards to ethics and privacy of health data. Therefore, it is
imperative that a framework be developed that can appropriately monitor and evaluate citizen
science for health projects. Based upon one of the existing monitoring and evaluation
frameworks, a first outline of such a framework has been developed. A roundtable session at the
Engaging Citizen Science Conference 2022 was used to elicit possible topics for the ways in
which citizen science for health distinguishes itself from other domains of citizen science. The
topics mentioned by the participants were, amongst others: ethics, reciprocity, data privacy,
transdisciplinary cooperation, personal and societal health outcomes, education of different
stakeholders, and working towards sustainability and taking steps to create an impact with the
outcomes of citizen science research. The roundtable discussions provided relevant input on
areas where the current outline might be adapted when working towards a framework for the
monitoring and evaluation of citizen science for health and wellbeing. Focus groups are foreseen
to co-create a framework 1.0 for monitoring and evaluating citizen science for health projects.