In a new workshop report published by the Computing Community Consortium (CCC), Grand Challenges for the Convergence of Computational and Citizen Science Research, dozens of experts across disciplines came together to examine the ways in which advanced computing and citizen science mutually enrich each other, fundamentally altering our potential for advancement in numerous scientific fields for the better.  From users mapping biodiversity on iNaturalist to analyzing protein folding configurations to advance drug discovery on Foldit, we have seen the value of engaging the public in scientific research projects. This report also presents the opportunity of citizen science and computing research, together, to maximize the potential of tools with broad applications […]

Citizen science projects have contributed to scientific progress across disciplines. From users mapping biodiversity on iNaturalist, to analyzing protein folding configurations to advance drug discovery on Foldit, to discovering new planets on Zooniverse, we have seen the value of engaging everyday participants in scientific research projects. The Computing Community Consortium (CCC) recently published a new report on how advanced computing, especially artificial intelligence (AI), can extend that impact even further while at the same time contribute to human-in-the-loop computational research. The report, titled Grand Challenges for the Convergence of Computational and Citizen Science Research, assesses the ways that such technology can increase the potential of citizen science, ultimately enhancing scientific […]

In a new workshop report published by the Computing Community Consortium (CCC), Grand Challenges for the Convergence of Computational and Citizen Science Research, experts across disciplines examine the ways in which computational science — including artificial intelligence (AI) — and citizen science can mutually enrich each other, fostering increased opportunity for advancement in numerous scientific fields. The report presents a roadmap for maximizing the potential of citizen science through the contributions of AI — and vice versa — while also demonstrating the broader applications of this union for challenges across ecological, infrastructural, clinical, and other domains. “We are entering a brave new world where we are renegotiating the relationship between […]

CCC is excited to see how our latest best-practice documents on interdisciplinary research for Funders, Researchers, and Organizational Leaders echo—and amplify—the strategic recommendations from the recent National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine’s (NASEM) report on The Science and Practice of Team Science. Below, we enumerate several recommendations presented in both sets of resources.   1. Seed Funding & Early Stage Support NASEM emphasizes the importance of pilot grants and flexible budgeting for early-stage interdisciplinary work. CRA/CCC’s Best Practices for Funders document mirrors this, recommending dedicated seed-stage funding, travel grants, and support for team-building workshops to kickstart cross-disciplinary collaboration. 2. Structural & Budgetary Flexibility NASEM urges institutions to adapt budgeting, […]

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) recently released a memorandum to federal agencies to offer guidance on implementing the recent executive order on “Restoring Gold Standard Science”. The memo, authored by OSTP Director Michael Kratsios, offered nine key tenets for conducting scientific research, one of which was focused on “Collaborative and Interdisciplinary” research. Interdisciplinary research, the memo says, is “vital for generating new knowledge, as it fosters synergy, leverages complementary skills, and promotes the synthesis of ideas to raise new questions and tackle multifaceted problems that transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries.” The memo directed agencies to prioritize this type of interdisciplinary research, through improved collaboration between agencies […]