Finland’s first-ever Citizen Science Festival comes to Oulu in March 2026

The festival introduces the public to citizen science through interactive stations, where researchers from Oulu, Finland, and across Europe will present their work. At the Citizen Science festival 23 projects will present their research through part in fun activities like science bingo, games, and video showcases for all ages! Win a prize from completing your citizen science passport! The program is designed for all age groups, including families with children, students, professionals, retirees, and tourists. The goal is to make science accessible and engaging for everyone. Participants will have the chance to explore ongoing projects, talk with researchers, and take part in simple experiments, aimed at encouraging curiosity and public involvement in scientific discovery.

Finland's first-ever Citizen Science Festival is organized in collaboration with the European Citizen Science Association, the European Citizen Science platform, and the Biodiverse Anthropocenes Research unit at the University of Oulu. The 2024 Citizen Science Festival was held in the Natural History Museum in Vienna, and Oulu is proud to host this year's festival as part of the 2026 Cultural Capital programme. Come and learn more about how citizens like you are making a difference in Oulu and across Europe!

The festival will open after a keynote by Eliza Reid, open to the public, in Saalastin Hall that concludes the ECSA2026 conference. Reid, born in Canada, is a bestselling author and former First Lady of Iceland (2016–2024), known for her work on gender equality, entrepreneurship, and Iceland’s literary heritage.

At the Citizen Science Festival, a roundtable discussion titled “What is your North?” will be held at Tuba restaurant on Saturday, 7 March from 12-14:00. The discussion will feature a knowledgeable group of speakers: Eliza Reid; bestselling author Katja Pantzar; Anna Litewka-Anttolainen, Project Manager at the Oulu Culture Foundation; Helena Ristaniemi, researcher at the Giellagas Institute; and Hanna Snellman, Vice Rector and Professor of Ethnology at the University of Helsinki. Together, they will explore how gender, resilience, and culture shape life and creativity in the North.

See you at the festival!