Glasgow’s residents are benefitting from a new community science app combining the value of lived experiences with the University of Glasgow’s climate action research. 

communiMap connects people to scientific understanding through the sharing of everyday experiences of the city, sparking conversations and supporting climate action. Users can share their observations through photographs, audio and written reflections and are encouraged to chronicle journeys, wildlife, trees, water, compost and energy.  

Reflecting on the development of the app, co-researchers Dr Sarah Gambell and Dr Florence Halstead described it as a truly collaborative effort:  

"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."  

The project is led by GALLANT, a University of Glasgow initiative in partnership with Glasgow City Council with the aim of developing and trialling sustainable solutions across the city. This project aims to deliver on Glasgow’s goal of being carbon neutral by 2030, in accordance with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.  

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

For Glasgow Changing Futures, communiMap exemplifies the power of partnerships between the University of Glasgow and the local community, demonstrating how collaborative spirit can drive innovative, meaningful projects.

 

 

 

 

First published: 4 August 2025

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What is communiMap? 

communiMap is an easy-to-use community science app developed by the GALLANT project at the University of Glasgow. It helps people of all ages notice, record, and share what they see in their neighbourhoods, from urban trees and hidden wildlife to water events, local energy projects, and compost heaps.