From clicks to publications: How the public is changing the way we do research

Processing our increasingly large datasets (e.g., image, audio, video, multidimensional data, etc. poses a bottleneck for producing real scientific outcomes. Citizen science-engaging the publi in research-provides a solution, particularly when coupled with machine learning algorithm and sophisticated task allocation and retirement rules. Zooniverse is the most widely used an successful citizen science platform, with almost 1.5 million volunteers worldwide and havin supported over 50 projects across the disciplines (including ecology, archaeology, climate science oncology, physics, astronomy, and the humanities). To date, Zooniverse projects have produce over 100 peer-reviewed publications. Faced with a rapidly growing demand for citizen scienc projects, Zooniverse has launched a new 'Project Builder' interface which allows anyone to buil and maintain their own citizen science project using a set of browser-based tools.