*UPDATE: the deadline for this special feature open call has been extended to 28 February 2020*

Ecological projects involving citizen scientists have rapidly increased in number and there is now a general consensus that they can produce high-quality data. Citizen science projects generate large datasets that allow novel ecological questions to be addressed, but can require the development of both new analytical tools to handle big data and large open-data platforms. Citizen science projects can also play an important role in engaging people with nature. To assess the contribution of citizen science to the advancement of ecological and people and nature-based knowledge, the British Ecological Society journals are pleased to launch an open call for manuscripts for a Special Feature on citizen science.

The call for papers is open across the six BES journals: Functional Ecology, Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal of Ecology, Methods in Ecology and Evolution and People and Nature. Please read the relevant journal’s aims and scope carefully before submitting. Note that for People and Nature submissions that simply use citizen science data are not sufficient. For more details of what People and Nature are looking for please read their blog.

Manuscripts should be submitted in the usual way to the relevant journal. All submissions will be assessed by a relevant editor and sent for peer review if deemed appropriate. Presubmission enquiries are not necessary, but any questions can be directed to the relevant journal Editorial Office.

The deadline for submission has been extended to Friday 28 February 2020. Please ensure you mention the Special Feature in your cover letter when submitting. 

In need of examples of citizen science we’ve published in the past? Take a look here.