Give Back and Get Involved in Citizen Science
Travel is always the best educator and we offer the chance to enrich your curiosity and expand your knowledge and understanding of the places we travel to. There is no better learning opportunity than being in the field with subject matter experts.
Our Citizen Science Program is designed to be an interactive forum of like-minded travellers to share new discoveries and deepen their connection to the natural world in a relaxed, informal and fun environment – both on board our ships, on our fascinating shore expeditions and in our zodiacs.
You can make a difference as we can provide invaluable data to the scientific community through you taking part. You too can become an ambassador for the protection of our majestic but fragile blue planet when you return home by sharing what you have learned.
What is Citizen Science?
Citizen Science is the collection and analysis of data relating to the natural world by members of the general public, typically as part of a collaborative project with professional scientists around the world.
Why Take Part?
Aurora Expeditions travels to some of the most unique and remote places on the planet. It is challenging for scientists to spend time in these areas, so any observations we contribute can be extremely valuable.
Gathering and sharing data is also a great way to engage and educate ourselves in pressing issues that concern us at a local, regional and global level.
How Does it Work?
Members of our passionate Expedition Team, together with a Citizen Science Coordinator, will be on hand to introduce and assist you with the projects being conducted on your voyage.
Expert guidance on the collection, storage and sharing of new scientific data will not only greatly enhance your voyage experience, but help you gain more knowledge of our ever-changing natural environment.
From the biggest mammals to the smallest marine creatures, the important part you play in our Citizen Science projects will help protect and preserve the planet for generations to come.
‘Our goal is literally to inspire a network of hope – one place, one community, one vision at a time – but together around the world.’
Our Projects
Our passengers can contribute to global research, collecting data in some of the most hard-to-reach, under-studied places on Earth. Our Citizen Science Program covers seven projects that span the globe, to advance understanding of marine ecosystems, birdlife, climate change and polar environments.
Please note: As some of our Citizen Science projects are location- and weather-dependent, we cannot operate all of the projects on all voyages. We will endeavour to include as many projects as possible on your voyage with ample time allocated to them on a day-to-day basis.
HappyWhale
HappyWhale uses photo ID to track individual whales. Guests can photograph encounters and log them on the database, improving knowledge about migration, population health and behaviour.
eBird
eBird is the world’s largest biodiversity-related Citizen Science project, collecting bird observations from around the globe. Aurora passengers help to track species distribution and population changes.
NASA GLOBE Cloud
Our passengers are invited to record cloud conditions, with observations submitted to NASA GLOBE Cloud contributing to climate modelling.
Secchi Disk Study
Our Citizen Scientists measure water clarity by lowering a Secchi disk, recording visibility, and sharing data with scientists that are studying the effects of climate change on ocean ecosystems. This builds a long-term global dataset, and each voyage contributes new observations from some of the least-studied waters in the world.
Snow Algae Study
Snow algae are microscopic organisms that grow on snow and ice, influencing melt rates. The Snow Algae Study engages passengers in photographing and recording snow algae sites, contributing to global research into how these organisms influence the Antarctic environment. This study is supported by the latest science from the National Snow and Ice Data Center.
FjordPhyto
FjordPhyto invites passengers to explore phytoplankton diversity in polar fjords and coastal waters. Using simple tools, they collect samples to help scientists track phytoplankton health and its response to changing ocean conditions. These observations enhance understanding of the base of the marine food and how climate change is altering polar ecosystems.
*Only available on Antarctic voyages.
Thermal Imaging of Polar Ice (TIPI)
We are proudly the first expedition company to facilitate the development and execution of the TIPI pilot project, using thermal imaging to measure polar ice conditions. This project combines science, technology and storytelling to create robust datasets while engaging the public in polar research. We are collaborating with founder Joe Muise to deliver high-quality scientific outcomes.
Want to get involved?
Join One of Our New Scientist Discovery Tours
In partnership with AE Expeditions (part of Aurora Expeditions), New Scientist Discovery Tours is setting sail to the polar regions to provide breathtaking and illuminating travel experiences that combine the extraordinary natural surroundings with a focus on science and discovery.
Enjoy a vibrant program of expert-led talks, workshops, shore visits and Zodiac cruises, covering topics from polar science (including glaciology and marine biology) to the big-picture questions about life, the universe, and what it means to be human. Designed for curious minds to travel with kindred spirits.
We offer our ships as mobile research platforms
Our voyages reach some of the most remote and hard-to-access regions on Earth, where harsh weather, isolation and logistical costs can make scientific research difficult.
Bringing scientists on board accelerates their research, building knowledge of polar ecosystems and informing policies and protection strategies. Expeditioners get a front-row seat to cutting-edge science, showing them first-hand how climate change is influencing habitats and wildlife. This helps to build a global network of people who carry these stories home.
Penguin research with Oceanites
Oceanites documents penguins to shape conservation strategies. Onboard the Greg Mortimer, the Oceanites team conducted 15 penguin colony counts, including at islands not surveyed since 2017.
Whale health with Friedlaender Lab
The Friedlaender Lab joined us onboard the Greg Mortimer, to collect 35 minimally invasive samples from humpback and minke whales, to help understand how environmental changes are affecting them.
Life under the ice with Reef Life Survey
Reef Life Survey scientists joined us onboard the Sylvia Earle, to survey ten shallow rocky reefs. Divers found oversized sea spiders, out-of-this-world icefish, sea stars and more