What is Citizen Science?

Scientific research is essential to understand the challenges of climate change facing pristine regions like the Arctic and Antarctica, but conducting scientific research can be hugely costly and time-consuming. That's where you, and citizen science programs, come in.

  • The travel industry brings thousands of visitors to the polar regions, with huge potential for researchers to use this footfall to gather data.
  • On certain ​Antarctic ​voyages, guest​s​ can participate and collaborate in scientific research projects.
  • Research focuses on five major disciplines: Oceanography, Glaciology, Ornithology, Marine Biology and Meteorology.
  • The data collected ​helps ​directly contribute to a better understanding of climate change and how it's affecting the polar regions.

What citizen science projects can volunteers do?

GLOBE Cloud observations (with NASA)

Clouds affect how much sunlight is being absorbed by the earth and how much heat is escaping back into space.

For this study, you will observe and record cloud cover timed to NASA satellite fly-overs, helping scientists understand how surface and air temperature are affected by cloud cover, and how clouds will respond to a changing climate.

© Photo credited to the Polar Citizen Science Collective

Citizen Science

Southern Ocean Seabird Survey

Tourist participating in the Southern Ocean Seabird Survey for citizen science

This study involves conducting bird surveys at sea and on shore, helping scientists to understand large-scale seabird distribution patterns and habitat usage in the Southern Ocean. 

Often a favourite of polar travellers, conducting these surveys means working in small groups with an ornithologist, and being out on deck with your binoculars.

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Daniel says

Taking part in a citizen science project can give you a completely new appreciation of just how interconnected Antarctica's ecosystem is – from the smallest plankton up to the biggest whales.

Daniel Brooks Antarctica Specialist

Happy Whale

By tracking individual whales throughout the world’s oceans, this study is expanding our scientific knowledge of the whales’ behaviour and distribution.

You are encouraged to capture photos of whale sightings and upload them, recording when and where the photos were taken, to happywhale.com. When you get home, you can even 'follow' the whales you spot during your cruise as they migrate throughout the year.

© Photo credited to Hugh Rose

Citizen Science
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What our customers think of Citizen Science

It taught me about cloud surveys, plankton studies, happy whale and the health of penguin colonies as well as the impact of the avian flu on sea mammals. I learned so much and have already been peppering some of my learnings when I speak about my experience. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2023

Christen Glogowski - USA

Make sure to go on a boat and with a company that is so associated with science and Antarctic tourism. I was happy to know my tourism was not harming the area. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2023

Jessica Spangler - USA

I was amazed and thrilled by the Citizen Science program, especially the cloud exploration led by Tracey. The penguin spotters added another lovely dimension and humour as well. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2023

Julie Carlin-Sasaki - UK

I had SO MUCH FUN!!! I had never been in a zodiac before and loved every minute. I felt safe at all times, had confidence in the drivers, and LOVED doing Citizen Science from a zodiac daily. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2023

Wendy Williamson - USA

We were pleasantly surprised in the opportunity to be included in the research projects and experiments in which the expedition staff were involved. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2023

John Mark Bowles - USA

They are inspirational. Alison encouraged me on the science boat, Wendy explained the bird life and I enjoyed a survey with her. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2021

Chris Dixon - UK

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Very professional, well versed, informative and interesting staff. We learned so much and felt like we got to know them. They would join us for meals, stop by and visit as we were hanging out in the lounge and just plain interact with us as shipmates. Really cool. It was amazing the backgrounds and work that these folks have done in their careers. I signed up for kayaking (Bob) and the team that lead that was great. We got to paddle quite a bit and got to see many things from an entirely different perspective. Above all else, their overall focus on safety and bio-security was impressive. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2020

Monica Scott - United States Of America

All the staff were knowledgeable and made the experience much more educational than I had anticipated. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2019

Mike Ciccolella - United States Of America

The Antarctic is a world unto itself; there is nothing like it anywhere. I am very active in wildlife conservation and the impacts of climate change so I appreciated the knowledge of the staff and the science which is ongoing on the continent. I didn't want to end the trip; I could have stayed for another two months exploring, data collecting etc. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2019

Jane Alexander - United States Of America

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Secchi Disk marine phytoplankton study

Carrying out a Secchi Disk citizen science survey in Antarctica

This study helps scientists understand how the distribution, composition and abundance of phytoplankton are altering as the oceans are affected by climate change.

You will use a Secchi Disk to record the Secchi Depth – the depth when the Secchi Disk disappears from sight when lowered vertically into the seawater from a stationary boat. The study offers participants a unique insight into the marine food chain.

FjordPhyto phytoplankton sampling

Melted glacial water can influence and change the population of phytoplankton in fjords – this study is helping researchers understand what impact this might have on the polar coastal ecosystem.

You will collect phytoplankton as you visit various fjords along the Antarctic Peninsula throughout the austral summer.

© Photo credited to Allison Cusick

Citizen Science
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Swoop says

Want to get involved? Speak to our specialists about the voyages which will give you the most opportunities to contribute to citizen science programs.

The Polar Citizen Science Collective

The Polar Citizen Science Collective facilitates ship-based citizen science programmes in the polar regions. It was founded in 2015 by five expedition guides including friends-of-Swoop Bob Gilmore, who helps co-ordinate programs on expedition ships, and Ted Cheeseman, founder of happywhale.com. Together, they saw an opportunity to involve guests in scientific research. 

The collective argue that their education programs help create ambassadors, 'committed, enthusiastic and action-oriented travellers who will return home to champion for the protection of the polar regions'. 

Citizen Science

Citizen Science board on board a ship

What impact can citizen science make on the climate crisis?

The Antarctic is a critical part of the Earth’s climate system and a sensitive barometer of climate change. Understanding how the polar regions are responding to climate change is essential for monitoring change and predicting future changes.

Many scientific studies tracking trends rely on ‘big data’, which is exactly what citizen science can supply - the global eBird project, for example, run by the Cornell University Ornithology Lab, received over 3 million data sets from citizen scientists in 2015. By giving policy makers and politicians accurate information, these scientific studies can inform conservation efforts and policies. 

Citizen Science

Wildlife watching for the Citizen Science program

Our best trips for Citizen Science

Special Offers:Swoop has access to the widest range of offers and can help you find the right trip, cabin, & price.

South Georgia, Antarctica and Falklands Explorer

Looking for an Antarctic adventure without compromising on comfort and service? This stylish 139-passenger ship, with its cavernous suites, fine dining and compelling itinerary, offers a polished Southern Ocean adventure at a fair…

  • 21 Days
  • $19,795
Traversing the Antarctic Circle

For an unparalleled Polar Circle experience spending 8 full days in Antarctica, choose this trip. Head south when penguin and whale activity is at its peak, accompanied by a highly experienced team. This elegant 139-passenger ship combines true comfort and…

  • 15 Days
  • $15,555
Antarctic Peninsula Classic

Travelling on board this extremely comfortable ship, explore the highlights of the peninsula with a top class expedition team. Spacious cabins, delicious cuisine and optional adventure activities all help create this ideal marriage of comfort and…

  • 12-13 Days
  • $10,145

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