Citizen Science Principles in Practice: Lessons From Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo

Abstract Citizen science (CS), the participation of laypeople in scientific research, is arguably a new concept in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Consequently, formal CS guidelines and support infrastructure are largely non-existent in these regions. This study seeks to contribute to this discussion by examining the factors that shape CS implementation and success in LMICs by analysing the strategies employed in the Action Towards Reducing snail-borne Parasitic diseases (ATRAP) project. ATRAP aimed to prevent snail-borne diseases in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda by establishing CS networks in selected communities. The project empowered community members to become “local snail experts” and communication “ambassadors” by collecting data on snail vectors. This study compared ATRAP's participant recruitment strategies and interests in DRC and Uganda, juxtaposing them with CS principles and practices observed in high-income countries (HICs). The findings indicate that although project implementation followed similar strategies in both countries, the outcomes varied. Specifically, more participants were nominated in Uganda, while in DRC, female participants worked alongside their spouses. However, participant interests were consistent across both countries, with tangible benefits (financial compensation and smartphones) and social recognition observed as major motivating factors. These findings, among others, deviate from typical HIC-based CS models that emphasize voluntary engagement, underscoring the need for context-specific adaptations. Rather than simply replicating “standard” CS practices, future (LMICs-focused) initiatives should prioritize proper community entry, diverse recruitment strategies, and strong support systems to address participation barriers within the communities they aim to serve.