We are delighted to announce that Dr Sinja Dittmann, lead author of a study investigating plastic pollution in German rivers, has won first prize in the "Wissen der Vielen – Forschungspreis für Citizen Science" (Knowledge of the Many – Citizen Science Research Award). The study draws on data collected through the Plastic Pirates citizen science initiative. The award is also a recognition of years of collaboration between researchers, educators and the public – and of the many people who have made the Plastic Pirates possible.

Since 2016, school pupils taking part in the Plastic Pirates have surveyed litter along rivers and coastlines across Germany, recording what they find according to a standardised scientific method. Between 2016 and 2022 alone, around 23,000 pupils took part. Their findings have created a unique body of data and provided the basis for the award-winning paper, "Temporal variability of litter pollution of rivers in Germany – A long-term assessment by schoolchildren as citizen scientists".

The study highlights what citizen science can contribute to environmental research. Data collected consistently over several years allow researchers to track how pollution in German rivers changes over time – something that would be difficult to achieve through conventional research alone. Plastic items and cigarette butts were among the most common types of waste recorded. The findings point to recreational activities along rivers as the main source of litter.

Award-winning research powered by thousands of citizen scientists

The award recognises not only the research itself, but also the collaborative effort behind the Plastic Pirates. The initiative gives young people first-hand experience of scientific research while enabling them to contribute meaningful data to our understanding of plastic pollution.

Ecologic Institute has played a key role in the Plastic Pirates for many years, helping to implement and further develop the initiative. Ecologic Institute researchers Mandy Hinzmann and Doris Knoblauch are co-authors of the award-winning paper and contributed both to the scientific analysis and to the wider development of the Plastic Pirates.

A central focus of Ecologic Institute's work on the project is ensuring that young people are not simply collecting data, but have opportunities to engage with and shape the research process. The team is currently running facilitated discussions with selected school classes on the German coast. Pupils explore and discuss the results of their sampling together with the project team, bringing their own perspectives and experiences into the conversation.

The research would not have been possible without a broad network of researchers, educational institutions and project partners – and, above all, the thousands of pupils who have contributed data as citizen scientists at rivers across Germany.

Ten years of Plastic Pirates: research as a shared endeavour

The award comes as the Plastic Pirates approach another milestone: ten years of young people taking part in research on plastic pollution. During the current sampling period, from 1 September to 30 November 2026, school classes and youth groups across Germany can investigate plastic pollution along rivers, streams and coastlines, as well as on islands. The next sampling period will run from 1 May to 30 June 2027.

We warmly congratulate Dr Sinja Dittmann and all the authors on winning first prize. We are especially pleased that the award also recognises the thousands of young citizen scientists – and the many partners behind the scenes – whose contributions have made this research possible!