Skip to main content

What are you looking for?

Enter keywords to search across resources, guides, training, tools, and more.

Create an account for suggestions personalised to you and your organisation
Create account
Research and Reports
1 minute read

Meeting volunteer expectations — a review of volunteer motivations in citizen science and best practices for their retention through implementation of functional features in CS tools

Meeting National Standards and Strategy Seal Meeting National Standards and Strategy What's this?

Introduction

This document provides a comprehensive guide on the effective management and implementation of citizen science projects. It underscores the significance of clear project goals, volunteer recruitment, sustainability, and the pivotal role of citizens in these initiatives.

Enhancing Volunteer Engagement

For volunteer organisations and management practitioners, the document offers valuable insights into aligning volunteer interests with project needs, ensuring meaningful participation, and fostering long-term commitment. It stresses the importance of understanding volunteer motivations, providing appropriate training, feedback, and recognition, and leveraging technology to enhance participation and scientific output.

Contributing to Global Goals

Moreover, the document highlights how citizen science projects contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by involving citizens in environmental monitoring and other scientific research. This not only aids in addressing global challenges but also empowers individuals with STEM knowledge and skills.

Summary

For organisations involved in volunteer management, this document serves as a crucial resource. It offers strategies for retaining volunteers by meeting their expectations, creating a sense of community, and ensuring projects are fun, rewarding, and aligned with their interests. By adopting the recommended approaches, organisations can maximise volunteer contributions, enhance scientific productivity, and make a significant impact on environmental and global issues.

Johanna Amalia Robinson, David Kocman, Orestis Speyer & Evangelos Gerasopoulos (2021) Meeting volunteer expectations — a review of volunteer motivations in citizen science and best practices for their retention through implementation of functional features in CS tools, Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 64:12, 2089-2113, DOI: 10.1080/09640568.2020.1853507

Downloads and sources

Visit source

More about the authors

Contribute to the Gateway

Leave feedback

Was this resource useful?

Make a Suggestion

If you find a great resource that isn't in the directory or want to provide feedback on the Volunteering Gateway, drop us a line!

More like this

Resources

Depression and Anxiety

This information, videos, guides and weblinks explain depression, anxiety, and their connection. It also provides self-help options and referrals to crisis support resources in Australia.
1 minute read
The Centre for Volunteering, The Knowledge Base
Research and Reports

Capital, Inequality and Volunteering

The research investigates how factors like income, education, and access to resources (economic, cultural, and social) influence who volunteers in Scandanavia. It suggests that volunteering is more common among people with greater resources.
1 minute read
Ivar Eimhjellen
General
Research and Reports

The Role of Volunteers in Co-Producing ‘Whole-of-Society’ Solutions

This article explores how Canada successfully resettled Syrian refugees in 2015 with the help of volunteers. It highlights the importance of co-production, which involves citizens, volunteers, and organizations working together to deliver public services.
1 minute read
Engage Journal
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD), Migrants +1 more
SEEK Volunteer
Tech

SEEK Volunteer

SEEK Volunteer helps connect people to volunteering opportunities that enrich their communities, lives and careers.
Recruitment
Emergency Support Volunteering website
Tech

Emergency Support Volunteering website

The Emergency Support Volunteering website allows volunteers in Western Australia to register to help in emergencies, organisations needing support can also register to contact volunteers for assistance.
Volunteer database Recruitment Reporting
VIKTOR Lite
Tech

VIKTOR Lite

VIKTOR Lite enables volunteer involving organisations to recruit volunteers via a range of websites run by local governments, state peaks, local volunteer resource centres, Volunteering Australia and SEEK Volunteer.
Volunteer database Recruitment Onboarding / training Reporting
scheduled

Values Based Leadership

Values should be more than just words on a wall. Well-developed and defined organisational values can shape culture, guide action, and become one of your strongest tools for attracting volunteers. In this session, explore how values-driven leadership can help you create a more purposeful volunteer
Volunteering Victoria
–
FREE
scheduled

Making Volunteer Data Meaningful

The session will focus on data visualisation and some practical and easy ways to show the impact your volunteers make. This is the second of two sessions. The first was held in October last year with a focus on collecting and analysing volunteer data and reporting outcomes.
Volunteering Tasmania
–
Free
scheduled

SA State Volunteer Managers' Network Meeting

The SA State Volunteer Managers' Network meetings are for anyone who manages, coordinates, or leads volunteers, whether in a paid or voluntary role. This meeting will be held online and will offer a valuable chance to share experience and discuss relevant topics.
Volunteering SA&NT
–
Free