Pollen Watch is a research project that everyone can participate in!
Are you or someone close to you affected by pollen allergy? Or are you simply interested in the topic and how it is affected by climate change?
Then step into the shoes of a scientist for a while, measure pollen levels in real-time together with other interested people and learn more about pollen allergies and climate change!
stay in touch!
Join our WhatsApp community here.
upcoming events
09.05.2026 – Playful Climate Discussion at MoveTheDate Festival
16.05.2026 – Dandelion Honey Production Workshop
20.05.2026 – Visit Wolfgang Laib Exhibition at Kunsthaus
07.06.2026 – Excursion to the High Altitude Research Station at Jungfrau
Measure Pollen on Your Commute
With Pollen Watch we aim to better understand pollen allergies and how climate change affects them, using a citizen science approach. As a participant you receive a sensor to measure air quality and airborne pollen concentrations and help analyze the collected data, contributing directly to the research process.
Pollen allergies are a growing challenge in Switzerland due to rising temperatures and higher pollen levels, affecting countless individuals. Mapping the distribution of airborne pollen and identifying its triggers is essential to understanding and mitigating this problem.
While advanced monitoring stations exist in Switzerland, they cannot capture the full picture of regional patterns or individual exposure. That’s where citizen science comes in: everyday people help fill the gaps by monitoring air quality and pollen with sensors, creating a detailed map of local hotspots. With different activities we ensure participants learn how to collect and interpret the data – making science collaborative and impactful.
Key questions we explore together:
- How do pollen levels differ between urban and rural areas?
- What role do environmental conditions, e.g. rainfall, and heat waves play?
- How do human activities influence pollen dispersion?
- How does commuting (e.g., biking, walking, driving) affect individual exposure?
Community Activities
In Pollen Watch we look at pollen from different perspectives!
Additionally to the measurement days, we are planning some actitvities for you to participate – all around the topics of pollen, climate change and participatory science.
Pollen
16.05.2026 - Dandelion Honey Production Workshop @ bioco Baden
It’s blooming outside! Join us in the yellow fields of dandelions, to collect them and produce a deliciously sweet dandelion honey.
You don’t need to be a bee to produce honey. In this workshop curated by Lydia Matthews, we will collect dandelions, learn to understand what kind of work they do as plants, and use them as ingredients to collectively make a batch of dandelion honey that you can bring home to enjoy on bread or in your tea.
More info here.
20.05. - Visit Wolfgang Laib Exhibition @ Kunsthaus
Art meets science! Join us for a visit to the exhibition of Wolfgang Laib at the Kunsthaus Zürich and a reflective discussion afterwards.
In his minimalist art, Wolfgang Laib works with natural materials such as pollen, bees wax or milk. Wolfgang Laib shifted his life as a doctor/research scientist to become an artist— what motivated that transition? How do those different professions understand what “healing” can mean in the world? Guided by Lydia Matthews, you will receive info & prompts for individual reflection. The visit will be followed by a group dialog.
More info here.
Climate Change
09.05.26 - Playful Climate Change Discussion @ MoveTheDate Festival
Let’s play! In this interactive workshop, we use the game of musical chairs to explore how we manage common resources like water or energy.
Through playful experimentation, we move from competition to collaboration and reflect on concepts such as scarcity, abundance, and collective responsibility. Together, we discuss how these ideas relate to climate change and how we can manage shared resources more sustainably.
The event takes place during the MoveTheDate Festival. More info here.
07.06.2026 - Visit of the High Altitude Research Station @ Jungfraujoch
Let’s go high! Join us for a day of science, fresh mountain air, and a new perspective on our atmosphere.
Surrounded by snow and ice, this exceptional site offers insight into how scientists study air quality, atmospheric processes, and climate change. During the visit, you’ll learn how measurements taken at high altitude help us better understand environmental changes and connect them to questions explored in Pollen Watch.
More info here.
TBD - Visit KEEP IT CO2OL @ ETH
Stay tuned for further info.
Participatory Science
21.04.2026 - Citizen Science Workshop
Join us on a journey through the approach of citizen science! Learn what it’s all about and come up with your first ideas on where it could be used.
In the workshop we will introduce the cornerstones of citizen science and show you how a citizen science project can be established. In small teams you will get to discuss your own ideas on what kind of project citizen science is useful for.
TBD - Wrap Up Workshop
Stay tuned for more info!
Your Questions Answered
Who can participate in the project and how?
Anyone interested in pollen allergy and air quality as well as climate change’s impact on these can participate. Ideally you live in Aargau or Zurich to come join us for the air quality measurements.
Why should I participate?
By participating in Pollen Watch, you contribute directly to research on pollen allergies and climate change while gaining hands-on experience with real scientific measurements. You’ll learn more about pollen, environmental health, and your own exposure, and become part of an engaged citizen-science community.
As a thank-you for taking part, one participant will be randomly selected to attend the ScienceComm 26 conference, a leading Swiss conference on science communication.
When will I know the measurement days?
The measurements will take place in March. The exact days will be communicated no later than one week in advance on the project website and WhatsApp group.
To ensure meaningful and comparable results, measurements can only be carried out during suitable weather conditions, as pollen release and dispersion are strongly influenced by factors such as temperature, rainfall, wind, and humidity. Therefore, it is not possible to fix exact dates further in advance.
Can I get a sensor to take measurements at home or at work?
Yes, there will be some sensors available for measurements in indoor environments. Text us in the WhatsApp community or send us an email if you are interested in this.
How long will it be required to be there for the measurements?
Minimum 30 minutes, up to a day, depending on your availability.
Where can I get a bike to participate in the project?
We will provide some bikes or you can bring your own. However, a bike is not required to do the measurements. You can also do them by foot or by bus.
Can I participate in more activities within the project?
Yes, there will be workshops and other activities. See above!
How will I be informed about the results of the project?
If you are participating in the project, you will be involved in the analysis of the results and therefore stay informed continuously through various activities. At the end of the project we will publish a report, which will be shared with all participants and the general public.
Why do you need citizen scientists to participate in collecting data? Why do you need so many participants?
Citizen scientists allow us to collect data at a scale and level of detail that would not be possible with a small research team alone. Pollen levels can vary greatly over short distances due to local vegetation, weather, and urban structures, so measurements from different locations are essential to capture this variability. A large number of participants improves the quality and reliability of the data and helps us build a more representative picture of real-world pollen exposure.
At the same time, participation serves as a sensitisation measure: by taking part, citizen scientists learn more about pollen, allergies, and environmental influences on health. This exchange benefits both research and participants, helping to raise awareness while generating high-quality data.
What is the impact of this project?
This project helps improve our understanding of where and when pollen is present, providing more accurate and detailed information than traditional monitoring stations alone. The data can inform research, healthcare planning, and allergy forecasts, ultimately helping people better manage their exposure and symptoms.
At the same time, the project raises public awareness about pollen, allergies, and environmental health. By involving citizen scientists, it encourages learning, engagement, and a stronger connection between scientific research and everyday life.
Project Team
Evgenia Tsianou
Project Manager, DISSCO
Carmen Kummer
Project Assistant, DISSCO
Lubna Dada
Principal Investigator, PSI
Project Outputs
Project Partners
Funding institution
Supporting organisations
