Bálint Balázs

Background Citizen science is increasingly recognized as a valuable scientific approach across disciplines, contexts, and research areas. However, its rapid expansion and diverse methodologies make it challenging to establish a single definition or universal criteria for what constitutes citizen science. Building on our previously published work that detailed findings from a vignette study used to identify the ECSA Characteristics, this paper specifically focuses on the descriptive results from that study and examines the Characteristics in relation to the ECSA 10 Principles of Citizen Science. Methods We developed the ECSA Characteristics through a vignette study, a survey method that captures diverse perspectives on complex topics. We then reviewed the ECSA 10 Principles of Citizen Science, a broad framework for best practices in citizen science, to identify its gaps and limitations, showing how the ECSA Characteristics can help address them. Results The results highlight the disciplinary distinctions as well as ambiguities surrounding various citizen science practices. In this context, it is beneficial to adopt an inclusive approach and language that allows the audience to define its own criteria depending on its needs, intended use and specific circumstances. Conclusions The ECSA Characteristics were developed in a spirit of openness; identifying areas with diverse and even conflicting views was central to this practice. We recommend their use as a whole set and contend that no one area or characteristic is more important than the other. They should be considered as a toolkit with examples that can guide efforts towards defining citizen science for a specific context and purpose. They are built on the ECSA 10 Principles, addressing some of their gaps and limitations, while at the same time acknowledging the need to update and improve the 10 Principles based on developments in the field.

Background Citizen science is increasingly recognized as a valuable scientific approach across disciplines, contexts, and research areas. However, its rapid expansion and diverse methodologies make it challenging to establish a single definition or universal criteria for what constitutes citizen science. Building on our previously published work that detailed findings from a vignette study used to identify the ECSA Characteristics, this paper specifically focuses on the descriptive results from that study and examines the Characteristics in relation to the ECSA 10 Principles of Citizen Science. Methods We developed the ECSA Characteristics through a vignette study, a survey method that captures diverse perspectives on complex topics. We then reviewed the ECSA 10 Principles of Citizen Science, a broad framework for best practices in citizen science, to identify its gaps and limitations, showing how the ECSA Characteristics can help address them. Results The results highlight the disciplinary distinctions as well as ambiguities surrounding various citizen science practices. In this context, it is beneficial to adopt an inclusive approach and language that allows the audience to define its own criteria depending on its needs, intended use and specific circumstances. Conclusions The ECSA Characteristics were developed in a spirit of openness; identifying areas with diverse and even conflicting views was central to this practice. We recommend their use as a whole set and contend that no one area or characteristic is more important than the other. They should be considered as a toolkit with examples that can guide efforts towards defining citizen science for a specific context and purpose. They are built on the ECSA 10 Principles, addressing some of their gaps and limitations, while at the same time acknowledging the need to update and improve the 10 Principles based on developments in the field.

The pea ( Pisum sativum L.) is an emerging pillar in plant-based nutrition and sustainable food systems due to its high-quality proteins, diverse bioactive compounds, and agroecological benefits. This review provides an updated synthesis of the nutritional composition, health-promoting properties, and environmental relevance of peas, emphasizing recent scientific findings. Pea seeds typically contain 20%−40% protein, 45%−55% starch, and 10%−15% dietary fiber, alongside essential micronutrients such as vitamin C (40–60 mg/100 g), folate (60–70 μg/100 g), vitamin K (30–45 μg/100 g), iron (1.5–2.0 mg/100 g), and manganese (0.4–0.6 mg/100 g). Their storage proteins, primarily legumin and vicilin, offer high digestibility and amino acid profiles compatible with human requirements, supporting their rapidly growing use in protein isolates and meat- and dairy-alternative products. Peas represent a valuable source of phenolic acids, flavonoids, and saponins, which contribute to notable antioxidant (50–120 μmol Trolox/g) and anti-inflammatory activities demonstrated in preclinical studies. Compared with other legumes, peas exhibit a lower glycemic index (35–45), making them suitable for metabolic health applications. Agronomically, pea cultivation enhances soil fertility through biological nitrogen fixation (up to 150 kg N/ha), supporting reduced fertilizer inputs and improved crop rotation performance, aligning with circular economy and climate-resilience strategies. Despite these advantages, global consumption and breeding innovation remain insufficient to meet the rising demand for alternative proteins. Future opportunities include improving protein extraction technologies, valorizing processing side-streams, and exploring underutilized phytochemicals to strengthen the nutritional and sustainability profile of pea-based food systems.

Background Citizen science is increasingly recognized as a valuable scientific approach across disciplines, contexts, and research areas. However, its rapid expansion and diverse methodologies make it challenging to establish a single definition or universal criteria for what constitutes citizen science. This paper introduces the ECSA Characteristics of Citizen Science, offering a nuanced exploration of the field to support stakeholders, including policymakers and research funders, in understanding and applying citizen science effectively. Methods We developed the ECSA Characteristics through a vignette study, a survey method that captures diverse perspectives on complex topics. We then reviewed the ECSA 10 Principles of Citizen Science, a broad framework for best practices in citizen science, to identify its gaps and limitations, showing how the ECSA Characteristics can help address them. Results The results highlight the disciplinary distinctions as well as ambiguities surrounding various citizen science practices. Two challenges exist when defining citizen science. A very strict definition could exclude valuable practices, hindering innovation and discouraging public participation. Conversely, a loose definition might make it difficult for specific audiences to apply it effectively in their own contexts. Therefore, it is beneficial to adopt an inclusive approach and language that allows the audience to define its own criteria depending on its needs, intended use and specific circumstances. Conclusions: The ECSA Characteristics were developed in a spirit of openness; identifying areas with diverse and even conflicting views was central to this practice. We recommend their use as a whole set and contend that no one area or characteristic is more important than the other. They should be considered as a toolkit with examples that can guide efforts towards defining citizen science for a specific context and purpose. They are built on the ECSA 10 Principles, addressing some of their gaps and limitations, while at the same time acknowledging the need to update and improve the 10 Principles based on developments in the field.

Chickpeas ( Cicer arietinum L.), form part of the pulses group and have been cultivated and consumed for many years, providing beneficial nutritional properties, whilst also being considered as sustainable foods. The global market for chickpeas is expected to continue growing because of increased consumer acceptability and growing needs for foods that support nutritional health and demand for alternative plant-based protein sources. Furthermore, these crops contribute to nitrogen fixation in soils and are therefore utilized for crop rotation systems, important in today’s need to cope with sustainability demands. Food security is a major concern, with increasing pressure to supply affordable, accessible and nutritious foods to the world’s growing population. On the other hand, challenges for chickpea consumption exist and may be in part explained by various sociocultural and economic factors, such as lack of knowledge and long preparation times, as well as the current global nutrition transition marked by increasing fast food availability and preferences. Crops like chickpeas therefore have an important role in addressing many Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Chickpeas’ nutritional profile includes protein quality, fiber, micronutrients and bioactive compound content. Antinutrients are also present, reducing nutrient bioavailability and provoking digestive health issues with some allergenic potential also observed. Mitigation techniques range from pre-cooking methods such as soaking and dehulling, as well as various cooking processes and fermentation. The latter process has been shown to improve probiotic activity and reduce phytate levels, in particular. The aim of this review is therefore to re-examine the nutritional profile for the two main chickpea types, the ‘kabuli’ and ‘desi’ types, the limitations of the antinutritional factors present, and explore techniques to mitigate these compounds. Socio-cultural and economic limitations faced by farmers will be addressed, a concern since it could further exacerbate poverty and food insecurity. Successful strategies that have improved yields will also be presented. The review will therefore present the integration of nutritional health with environmental considerations so as to deliver an updated picture for the chickpea crop and provide actionable recommendations to address the growing global population’s future needs.

Rye ( Secale cereale L.) is increasingly recognized as a sustainable cereal with significant nutritional, ecological, and economic potential. While previous studies have highlighted its dietary fiber (DF), bioactive compounds, and associated health benefits, this review provides an updated synthesis that integrates recent findings on rye's role in human health, food security, and sustainability. In particular, it emphasizes novel evidence on rye's functional properties, its potential contributions to plant-based dietary strategies, and its economic and social relevance. By consolidating current knowledge and outlining future directions for product development and dietary innovation, this work offers a fresh perspective that extends beyond earlier 0 reviews focused on rye.

Background Citizen science is increasingly recognized as a valuable scientific approach across disciplines, contexts, and research areas. However, its rapid expansion and diverse methodologies make it challenging to establish a single definition or universal criteria for what constitutes citizen science. This paper introduces the ECSA Characteristics of Citizen Science, offering a nuanced exploration of the field to support stakeholders, including policymakers and research funders, in understanding and applying citizen science effectively. Methods We developed the ECSA Characteristics through a vignette study, a survey method that captures diverse perspectives on complex topics. We then reviewed the ECSA 10 Principles of Citizen Science, a broad framework for best practices in citizen science, to identify its gaps and limitations, showing how the ECSA Characteristics can help address them. Results The results highlight the disciplinary distinctions as well as ambiguities surrounding various citizen science practices. Two challenges exist when defining citizen science. A very strict definition could exclude valuable practices, hindering innovation and discouraging public participation. Conversely, a loose definition might make it difficult for specific audiences to apply it effectively in their own contexts. Therefore, it is beneficial to adopt an inclusive approach and language that allows the audience to define its own criteria depending on its needs, intended use and specific circumstances. Conclusions: The ECSA Characteristics were developed in a spirit of openness; identifying areas with diverse and even conflicting views was central to this practice. We recommend their use as a whole set and contend that no one area or characteristic is more important than the other. They should be considered as a toolkit with examples that can guide efforts towards defining citizen science for a specific context and purpose. They are built on the ECSA 10 Principles, addressing some of their gaps and limitations, while at the same time acknowledging the need to update and improve the 10 Principles based on developments in the field.

In the context of a rapidly growing global population and significant climatic and environmental change, there is an urgent need to produce nutritious food in a sustainable manner. Some crops are underutilised in Europe, despite their suitability to local environments, viability for sustainable production and potential to improve diets. Rye ( Secale cereale ) has a long history of cultivation in Europe, yet is underutilised owing to complex historical, socio‐cultural, socio‐political, socio‐economic and agronomic factors. This paper explores an innovative, cross‐sectoral approach that harmonises existing datasets from archaeology, plant science, nutrition and policy, and establishes an interdisciplinary dialogue to tackle this challenge.

Industrial grain production, driven by large-scale monoculture and intensive use of synthetic inputs, has become a cornerstone of global food systems. However, its environmental, social, and economic sustainability is increasingly called into question. The depletion of soil health, biodiversity loss, high carbon emissions, and the marginalisation of small farmers highlight the unsustainability of this model. A growing movement of farmers, millers, and bakers from across Europe are beginning to find collaborative ways around these problems by creating territorially-situated networks to govern the use of genetically diverse and/or ecologically produced and processed grains. However, these emergent ‘alternative grain networks’ (AGNs) remain poorly understood, especially in terms of their use of novel governance structures, economic arrangements, and their scaling potential. This article presents and systematically analyses three AGN case studies from across Europe. Using an adapted four-part ‘food as a commons’ framework, we assess each case to understand the genesis of these initiatives and their constituent elements; namely, who are the actors involved, what motivates them, and how governance is being enacted. Our analysis revealed several important aspects which we believe must be considered in the development of AGNs as collaborative initiatives. We argue that the AGN initiatives’ capacity to collaborate is based on a process of creating a ‘commons for food’, not only including material resources and sector-specific knowledge, but also the tools of governance in territorial supply chains. Beyond material resources and sector-specific knowledge, shared values and governance tools in territorial supply chains must also be recognised and governed as shared resources to ensure AGNs deliver collective benefits, but also a sustainable and equitable grain system in the long term.