The aim of the ECSA conference is to explore different ways of understanding and influencing change through citizen science and participatory research. It will also highlight the potential of citizen science as a change agent in research and society, and as a tool for managing the change happening around us. For the first time, the ECSA Conference is merged with the Austrian Citizen Science Conference to promote exchange between the Austrian and European citizen science communities. This will provide opportunities for networking and building partnerships in the field of citizen science and participatory research.