The Scientist Hiding in Everyone | John Terenzini | TEDxHong Kong

Jellyfish, an animal that has existed for about 500 million years, drift through Hong Kong's waters largely unnoticed until recently. The talk by John Terenzini, given at TEDxHong Kong, describes how around 700 untrained citizen scientists using only their phones are helping fill gaps in what marine biology knows about them. Terenzini, an environmental researcher with a background in outdoor education, founded the Hong Kong Jellyfish Project in 2020 to bring the public and scientists together. The initiative supports research on where jellyfish occur in local waters and contributes to understanding of marine biodiversity and conservation.

• Citizen scientists using phones to record jellyfish sightings in Hong Kong
• The Hong Kong Jellyfish Project, founded in 2020
• Mapping jellyfish distribution to support marine biodiversity knowledge
• Marine conservation through public participation

A 500-million-year-old animal drifts beneath Hong Kong's ferries, and until recently, almost nobody was looking. John Terenzini shows how 700 untrained citizen scientists, using nothing but their phones, are filling in what marine biology still doesn't know. The only skill required: paying attention to what everyone else swims past. An accomplished environmental researcher with a background in outdoor education. John’s fascination with jellyfish began during a canoe expedition in Alaska. This experience led him to study Environmental Management at the University of Hong Kong. In 2020, John founded the "Hong Kong Jellyfish Project," a citizen science initiative aimed at empowering the public to collaborate with scientists. Through this model, John is able to conduct detailed research on the distribution of jellyfish in Hong Kong waters, deepening understanding of key aspects of local marine biodiversity and effectively promoting marine conservation efforts. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx