Citizen Science Practices in Malaysia (2015–2024): A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Citizen science (CS) practices in Malaysia are expanding; however, consolidated knowledge of their scope, contributions, and alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) remains limited. This review aims to: (1) analyse the implementation of CS projects in Malaysia; (2) evaluate their scientific, societal, and governance contributions; and (3) assess their alignment with the SDGs. The analysis focuses on CS projects conducted between 2015 and 2024, drawing on literature published up to April 2025. A total of 24 projects were reviewed using a structured approach guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), based on publications retrieved from Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. The findings indicate that conservation and ecology dominate the thematic focus of CS projects in Malaysia. Most initiatives rely on primary data collection, although the use of digital platforms for secondary data is increasing, particularly for large-scale ecological and spatial analyses. While scientific contributions are the most prominent, several projects also demonstrate governance relevance, reflecting growing recognition of citizen-generated data in environmental decision-making. The primary SDGs addressed are SDG 15 (Life on Land), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). The review further identifies a significant gap in the reporting of CS project alignment with the SDGs, which limits their visibility and policy relevance. Strengthening institutional mechanisms, such as integrating SDG considerations into reporting frameworks and national monitoring platforms, could enhance the contribution of citizen-generated data to SDG tracking. Future research should explore CS contributions to underrepresented social and economic SDGs in Malaysia.