Scientix® & CROPS Webinar: Meet The CROPS Citizen Science Champions

Applied sciences

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Date & time: Wednesday 15th October 2025, 17:00 - 18:00 CEST

In the recording of the webinar, you'll hear how their projects got started, the impact they're having, and how they connect science with schools, communities, and policy. This is a unique chance for teachers and the wider citizen science community to go "behind the scenes" and get inspired by real-life citizen science success stories.

Whether you're new to citizen science or already active in the field, you'll come away with fresh ideas and motivation to bring science closer to your classroom or community.

This webinar was organised under the framework of Module 1 of the CROPS MOOC: "From Classroom to Impact: Addressing Societal Challenges with Citizen Science", supported by Scientix®. The webinar was open to all, and participants didn't need to be registered for the MOOC to attend.

SPEAKERS

Sofie Meeus

Researcher and Data Steward - Meise Botanic Garden

Sofie Meeus is a research scientist at Meise Botanic Garden in Belgium, working on citizen science, biodiversity informatics, and ecological outreach. She holds a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from the University of Leuven and has led public engagement projects like #HOMEsafari, KIKS, and several bioblitzes. Her review “More than a Bit of Fun: The Multiple Outcomes of a Bioblitz” was published in Bioscience. Sofie connects science and society through open data, collaborative research, and participatory biodiversity monitoring. She co-chairs the European Citizen Science Association’s Green Spaces group and plays a key role in the OneSTOP project, focusing on the social and policy aspects of invasive species management.

Leonore Vander Donck

PhD Student University of Antwerp - Isala & Luna
Leonore Vander Donck holds a master’s degree in bioscience engineering and is currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Antwerp. Her research focuses on how menstrual products influence the vaginal microbiome, as part of the large-scale citizen science project Isala in Belgium. Isala is the largest citizen science study on the vaginal microbiome and won the EU Grand Prize for Citizen Science in 2023. The project has since expanded into a global framework, with daughter studies like the Luna project in Belgium, and sister projects in over 15 countries.

Arianna Liconti

Marine Biologist CROPS & OutBe
Arianna Liconti is a marine biologist and storyteller who bridges science, policy, and ocean communities. Born in Reggio Calabria, Italy, she holds a BSc in Marine Biology from Bangor University and an MRes in Marine Ecology and Conservation from Plymouth University. After early research at the Marine Biological Association UK, she returned to the Mediterranean and now leads projects like CROPS, CSMACH1, and The Ocean Race, connecting scientists, sailors, and citizens to protect the sea. An experienced offshore sailor with over 18,000 nautical miles, Arianna lives full-time aboard her sailing boat Binba, working at the intersection of research, outreach, and adventure — with passion, dedication, and a deep love for the Ocean.

Kris Vanherle

Co-founder & CEO Telraam (Rear Window BV)
Kris Vanherle is the co-founder of Telraam, a company using affordable IoT devices to empower citizens to monitor traffic in their neighbourhoods. The project aims to bring together residents and local authorities in a collaborative process to understand data, identify mobility challenges, and co-create solutions for better urban planning.

Glenn Godin

Project Leader School Mobility and Parking Management Mobiel 21
Glenn Godin has worked as Project Manager for School Mobility & Parking Policy at Mobiel 21 since 2020. With expertise in road safety and mobility management, he leads citizen participation projects, contributes to European initiatives focused on cycling and parking policy, and consults children of all ages to improve traffic safety in school environments.

Nadine Greenhalgh

Biodiversity Partnerships Manager Basecamp Research
Nadine Greenhalgh is Biodiversity Partnerships Manager at Basecamp Research, a company working toward “better medicines, better food, and better products for the planet” by exploring the rich and largely unknown biodiversity in soil. Nadine has built partnerships in over 20 countries, accessing unique soil samples from communities worldwide. These collaborations help discover new proteins and enzymes found in soil — some of which are already being used by partners like Protein Evolution to break down plastic waste. Nadine’s work also ensures that the people and communities providing samples are treated fairly, receiving royalties, regular updates on how their samples are used, and support through the creation of local DNA sequencing labs.