How do you effectively involve sourdough hobbyists in a citizen science project? That was the central question of a co-creation session organised as part of HealthFerm, a European project exploring fermentation processes in sourdough by collecting samples from home bakers and drawing on their knowledge and experience.
Successful citizen participation requires more than enthusiasm: it calls for a thoughtful approach that is both accessible and engaging, while ensuring accurate and consistent data collection.
The sourdough enthusiasts embraced the project with great enthusiasm and provided researchers with valuable insights into how to build an effective collaboration between citizens and scientists, laying the foundation for meaningful participation and high-quality research.
