8. Public laboratory: Play and civic engagement

This chapter explores the potential of play in relation to community-based civic science research using DIY scientif ic tools made possible by the Public Laboratory for Open Technology and Science (Public Lab). It discusses projects and approaches that the Public Lab has developed since its launch in 2010 to facilitate meaningful civic science collaboration. This includes a focus on narrative forms to connect participants to science research, relying on a spontaneous, playful emergence of collaborative activity rather than pre-developed forms of gamification to allow the incentives for participation to be intrinsic to the nature of the activity. This transforms the practice of scientif ic research and civic engagement into something that is both effective and ultimately enjoyable and productive, for all of