Get the public involved in your science research…

Whether it’s identifying cancer cells, counting birds or classifying galleries – anyone with an interest in science can get involved in scientific research by supporting so-called Citizen Science projects. As part of a new project we want to make sure that they also have a chance to explore chemistry.

As part of our new Outreach strategy, we aim to engage, enthuse and inform the public to increase understanding of the importance and impact of the chemical sciences. Citizen Science projects have recently increased in popularity and attract the curiosity and support from many people who aren't scientists by training but are interested in it as a hobby. Chemistry hasn’t played a big part of this exciting development so far but we want to change that.

We are looking for your ideas for a chemical science-themed Citizen Science project to inspire participants with chemistry and engage them with scientific research - we will support the best idea throughout 2015.

Your idea will:

• offer an insight in to chemistry as a result of taking part but also provide useful data to assist a real-world research question.
• be open to as many people of all ages as possible, and a scientific background shouldn't be required to take part.
• not require expensive scientific equipment (however, if affordable packages could be provided this is acceptable).
• reward everyone participating in the activity. There are no winners or losers, although there could be rewards offered for the most significant contribution(s).
• demand a need for utilising human intelligence - it shouldn't be a problem that can be solved by computational logic.

If you are currently undertaking research but are overwhelmed by data interpretation, or if you have an idea for collecting data that's useful in chemical research, then we want to hear from you!

If you’d like to take part, email your proposal to outreach@rsc.org by 30 September 2014. Proposals should be no longer than 850 words in total and include a brief outline of:

• the research problem and what is currently known (links to supporting journal articles will be accepted) (approx. 200 words)
• what can be solved via the challenge (approx. 200 words)
• how individual citizen scientists will participate (approx. 200 words)
• any equipment required (approx. 50 words)
• the expected costs and where funding is currently available or being sought (approx. 100 words)

Please note you don't need to be a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry to contribute your ideas and we encourage you to pass this on to anyone who might be interested. We'll contact those on the shortlist in late November and announce which project we’re taking forward in early 2015.