Can libraries be reframed as centers for Citizen Science and scientific/social innovation? And can communities be empowered by open digital infrastructures for the same?
This project aims at building an inclusive open digital library ecosystem that unites scientists, stakeholders from different disciplines, and the citizens/public alike for open collaborative science that spans geographic, cultural and disciplinary borders syncing learning, science and societal needs. To this end will be deployed :
A general purpose data collection platform & app (MindLogger) for use across different scientific disciplines, citizen science and user scenarios, with a first use case implementation in mental health.
Using this platform, anyone (without prior programming or design experience) can configure their own customized mobile apps (iOS and Android). This capability could complement/replace current classic methodologies for building and administering digital assessments (surveys, quizzes, diaries and cognitive tasks) via varied user response methods (survey lists, slider bars, images, audio etc.).

Creating, Collecting and Sharing Insights (image credit: A.Krishnakumar, original: A. Klein)
A public library of open content to select or edit activities, assessments, scientific guides and resources would be made available for users to choose from. The platform will also be linked to data analysis and feedback mechanisms to complete the virtuous cycle whereby citizens can actively participate in different stages of the research process from defining the hypotheses to drawing insights from their own data.
(header image credit: A.Klein)
Project Duration
1. October 2020 – 30. June 2021