Global Participatory Science Initiative for Ocean: An Innovative Multi-Partner Project for Ocean Data Collection and Analysis through Gamification and Participatory Citizen Science

The "Global Participatory Science Initiative for Ocean" is an ambitious, innovative citizen science project that combines environmental data collection and scientific analysis with gamification elements to engage global citizen participation. This initiative aims to overcome the unique challenges of ocean research—including accessibility, data flow automation, and large-scale citizen engagement—by leveraging a collaborative, open-source technical and educational infrastructure. This presentation will outline the project’s key components, strategic partnerships, and technical innovations that will drive its successful implementation, impact, and long-term sustainability.

 

The initiative is supported by a consortium of diverse scientific and technological partners. Organizations such as Terraforma (CNRS, INRAE, CNAM…) contribute to trusted citizen metrology through advanced sensors that allow precise, real-time data measurement and transmission. Oceanographic research institutes—including IFREMER, the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco, the CNRS Station in Saint-Jean Cap Ferrat, and the Scripps Institute of Oceanography in San Diego—enhance the project with their expertise in oceanography and research infrastructure. NGO Objectif Sciences International plays a key role in mobilizing and building the capacity of citizens worldwide, while Massively Multiplayer Online Science and the McGill University School of Computer Science handle the video game programming to enable large-scale data processing. Additionally, collaboration with video game companies such as CCP Games (EVE Online) will expand the project’s reach and engage a global community via gaming platforms. This network of multiple partnerships forms a unique structure aiming to democratize access to ocean research, notably through gamification features integrated into a dedicated mobile application.

 

This initiative employs advanced environmental data collection techniques, such as flow cytometry for quantifying microorganisms and environmental genomics approaches for sequencing microbes in water samples. These cutting-edge methods, combined with engaging gaming elements and participatory research activities, enable citizens to play diverse roles in scientific projects—from collecting samples in coastal waters to analyzing data through mobile gaming applications.

 

The challenges and solutions presented here address logistical constraints of data collection in open waters, the automation of data flow between citizens and scientists, and the long-term commitment of scientific and logistical partners for technical and operational support. Designed to be reproducible and adaptable for other citizen science initiatives, this open-source project is made available to the scientific community. It encourages innovation and collaboration on oceanic issues, transforming citizens into active contributors to scientific research and ocean preservation.