Curious about Citizen Science and want to know how you can get involved?
Join us at Ryde Library for our special National Science Week event as two of the authors of Exploring Nature Through Citizen Science share how community involvment can foster scientific discovery. Cameron and Thomas will be chatting with Paul Flemons from the Australian Museum about their must-have practical guide to making a difference by increasing scientific knowledge.
Attendees of the event have a chance to win a signed copy. There will be on onsite bookseller for purchase of the book and Cameron and Thomas will be available for signing and questions.
In association with CSIRO Publishing
About the book
A must-have guide for anyone interested in getting involved in citizen science in Australia.
Citizen science is involving the public in collecting and analysing scientific data and discovering new scientific knowledge. Approachable and inclusive, it is an excellent option for people looking for ways to get involved and make a difference, and there has never been a better time than now.
Exploring Nature through Citizen Science introduces citizen science and showcases its benefits, with a focus on Australia, including urban environments. The book explores the various types of projects available, explaining how the data is used to create real-world impact and offering practical guidance on what photographs to take and which data to record for different groups of organisms. Example projects from across Australia range from activities you can do in your home to active data collection in more remote areas, making it easier than ever for people to get involved in citizen science.
With its friendly, accessible approach and many photographs, this book serves as a must-have guide for anyone looking to understand how best to get involved in citizen science in Australia.
"The Australian Citizen Science Association (ACSA) is proud to endorse this comprehensive book on citizen science. Whether you're new to citizen science, a seasoned practitioner, or simply curious about the power of community involvement in scientific discovery, this book offers something for everyone."
– Annie Lane, Former Chair, Australian Citizen Science Association (2022–2025)
"If you're a curious person who wants to make a difference from right where you are today, this book is for you."
– Carrie Seltzer, PhD, Head of Engagement, iNaturalist.
About the Authors
Cam Slatyer manages the scientific name backbone of the Atlas of Living Australia. He's been lucky enough to work in a variety of science and biodiversity roles in government as well as the Australian Museum which have taken him to some spectacular parts of Australia. He created BushBlitz, a public - private partnership that has run for sixteen years and continues to link scientists, industry and citizen scientists in discovering species new to western science. He was recently luck enough to be included in a scientific paper on the discovery of a new Australian fossil fish, mainly because as a volunteer he found the first fossil of it's bottom!
Dr Thomas Mesaglio is a botanist and naturalist at the University of New South Wales. Much of his current research and work focuses on biodiversity informatics and the Australian flora, but he has also published on bushfire recovery, marine forensics, and invertebrate taxonomy and natural history. He is an iNaturalist curator and a site administrator for iNaturalist Australia, and regularly organises and leads BioBlitzes around Australia. Thomas has published five scientific books, and received the 2022 Eureka Prize for Innovation in Citizen Science.
About the Interviewer
Paul Flemons is the Manager of Citizen Science and Expeditions at the Australian Museum, where he leads and oversees major initiatives such as FrogID, DigiVol, and Australasian Fishes, while also collaborating with staff to design and deliver ambitious field expeditions, including those to Lord Howe Island and the Solomon Islands. Since joining the Museum in 1998, he has played a key role in developing its spatial analysis and biodiversity informatics capabilities, contributing to innovative conservation planning in NSW and helping establish the Museum as a global leader in biodiversity data systems. He has a strong focus on creating web-based tools for accessing and analysing collections data and developed the internationally recognised DigiVol program to support large-scale digitisation through volunteer engagement. Prior to this, Paul worked with the NSW Department of Agriculture and the National Parks and Wildlife Service, applying GIS and remote sensing techniques to environmental monitoring, conservation planning, and natural resource management.