Empowering Citizens Through Science: Innovative Approaches in Environmental Education and Engagement
A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Pollution Prevention, Mitigation and Sustainability".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 May 2026 | Viewed by 2139
Special Issue Editors
Interests: ecology; ecotoxicology; pollution; microplastic; environmental education
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: ecology; invasive species; environmental education
Interests: microplastics; water pollutant; environmental monitoring; sustainable development; environmental impact assessment; circular economy
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The current growing environmental challenges have underscored the urgent need for effective strategies to raise public awareness and foster sustainable and pro-environmental behaviors. Active learning methodologies, such as hands-on activities and collaborative fieldwork, have been found to deepen participants' understanding of ecological topics and encourage long-term engagement. At the same time, the citizens involved in such educational frameworks become protagonists in participatory research, supporting scientists in data collection, observation, and analysis. These initiatives generate valuable scientific data and promote environmental literacy.
This Special Issue aims to gather studies that explore environmental education (at all ages) and citizen science as efficient tools for enhancing scientific knowledge transfer and environmental awareness. We encourage the submission of original research articles showcasing how innovative learning approaches in learning and science communication can empower communities (from the local level to a wide international level) in order to engage with complex environmental issues, e.g., those associated with climate change, invasive species, and pollutants, including microplastics and rare-earth elements.
Multidisciplinary contributions from diverse geographical and socio-cultural contexts, providing a wide perspective on the integration of citizen science and education in environmental studies, are welcomed. Studies should highlight innovative methodologies for science communication and education, from digital platforms and mobile apps to peer-to-peer learning. Particular attention is given to the evaluation of the learning outcomes, as well as perception and behavioral impacts among participants, via structured surveys.
This Special Issue will offer valuable insights into how educational and participatory approaches can address today’s pressing environmental issues and foster resilient, informed societies.
Prof. Elisa Bergami
Dr. Sara Righi
Dr. Erika Iveth Cedillo-Gonzalez
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- awareness
- environmental education
- citizen science
- active learning
- knowledge transfer
- pro-environmental behaviours
- perception
- science communication
- public participation
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