University news

Glasgow residents will have a new way to engage with local climate action at their fingertips, thanks to a community science app co-designed by researchers at the University of Glasgow and local community members.

communiMap connects people directly to scientific understanding and practical climate actions, helping them to take small but significant actions and share information that will benefit others and the environment around them.

Developed through the UofG GALLANT project, communiMap supports place-based, community-led observation in Glasgow across themes like composting, nature, flooding, trees, and energy. It centres attention, storytelling, and quiet care, offering Glaswegians a chance to log what they notice and value in their surroundings, from street trees and compost heaps to puddles and walking routes.

The communiMap app invites users to submit their photographs, audio and reflections to six community science co-labs, active across Glasgow:

The Movement Co-Lab: Log and reflect on your journeys - on foot, wheels, or even a hoverboard - to better understand and enhance local travel.

The Nature Co-Lab: Spot wildlife, seasonal shifts, hidden green spaces - or simply record what catches your eye.

The Tree Co-Lab: Identify trees, measure them, and learn about their benefits. Discover what thrives where - and why it matters.

The Water Co-Lab: Record puddles, floods, droughts, and flow. Help create a local climate record from stret-level observations.

The Compost Co-Lab: Track composting progress, share tips, and learn how food waste is transforming into loal soil.

The Energy Co-Lab: Notice existing energy projects - or imagine where renewable energy could fit into daily places.

communiMap is also available as a workbook, and the team is currently developing a learning pack to support use in schools and outdoor education.

Professor Ria Dunkley, who is leading the community collaboration strand of GALLANT, said: "Climate change is a global issue, but its impacts are, and will continue to, be experienced locally, in our parks, streets, and homes. communiMap connects everyday noticing with science and action.

"You just need to download the app, create an account, and upload photos, audio, and notes whenever you encounter something that sparks your curiosity about your environment or the climate, whether it's in your garden, on your street, or at your workplace.

"We hope that communiMap will encourage deeper connections with local places by encouraging people to share their community's story and interact with others via the app.

"Designed with openness at its core, the platform makes all gathered information freely available for individuals, community groups, and decision-makers. That means any resident can access the data, reflect on patterns, and contribute to shaping solutions.”

Co-researchers Dr Sarah Gambell and Dr Florence Halstead said: "This app was created by, for, and with communities to ensure that their voices were heard and their lived experiences recognised. Community members have been involved throughout the research process—from helping to shape research questions to gathering data, creating a shared, co-created evidence base that can inform decisions at every level. Whether it’s improving local spaces or guiding city-wide responses to climate challenges like heat, flooding, and barriers to active travel, this is about building climate resilience through collective action and local knowledge."

"As a community contributor to the GALLANT programme, I've been able to witness the communiMap take shape from the ideas from other contributors during research sessions” added local resident, Chris Mccartan. “I'm keen to see how users make use of the features, their stories and pictures. We've collaborated with Invisible Cities to develop a walking tour to showcase the active travel layer and encourage participants to enjoy the physical and mental wellbeing benefits of walking with the group.

"When I cycle or walk past a feature or hazard, I am already thinking - 'oh, that would be a great addition to the map'".

Mairi Baker is Quality Improvement Officer, leading Learning for Sustainability within Glasgow City Council’s Education Department. She said: "I look forward to exploring opportunities to use communiMap to enhance learning and teaching opportunities for children, young people and their families within our school communities. We are delighted that Glasgow is the pilot for this exciting initiative – especially during such an important year, when we are celebrating 850 years as a city and have been named as a UNESCO City of Learning."

The data gathered through the app will also support research within GALLANT, by providing rich, ground-level insights into how communities experience environmental change.

While communiMap is currently Glasgow-based, plans are underway to roll this out UK-wide and internationally.

---

First published: 17 July 2025