Spotlight: meet citizen social scientist Ali Omar Ali

Please tell us about the citizen science work you’ve done with the UCL Citizen Science Academy at the Institute for Global Prosperity and what you’re hoping to achieve by doing it.

My journey as a ‘citizen scientist’ with the IGP’s PROCOL (Prosperity Co-Lab) in Lebanon began in the Mar Mikhael area following the 2020 Beirut Blast. My first intervention sought to help activate an area called the Geara (Vedome) Stairs, where elderly individuals regularly met, in the Mar Mikhael neighbourhood adjacent to the port area the blast centred on. Upon receiving an application from a partner in the Mar Mikhael area and subsequently delving into research on the citizen scientist methodology, my online meeting with Joanna Dabaj from Catalytic Action, a long-term collaborator of the IGP, was particularly insightful, highlighting the IGP’s data-driven and community-analysed approach to interventions. As the founder of Lebanese Spotlight, a youth-led NGO, this experience profoundly shaped my desire to build and develop my skills in implementing interventions based on local needs and rigorous data analysis.

Initial successes directly led us to implement another related initiative: the Ras El Nabaa Social Support and Mayyel Ras El Nabaa project. My collaboration with PROCOL Lebanon has since expanded significantly beyond these initial interventions. I have also been managing the Jowan program, providing essential educational support to children who lack access to formal education, since 2024. 

Photo image of Ali Omar Ali and Professor Dame Henrietta Moore

What were you hoping to achieve by joining the Academy programme?

My essential aim was to learn the fundamentals of project implementation. Having founded Lebanese Spotlight, I recognised a critical need to understand how to design interventions based on genuine community needs and how to conduct research and analyse data to achieve this effectively. I desired to help my community by implementing projects that truly reflected its needs.

What is citizen science for you, and why do you think it’s important for more people to be trained in research?

In the current AI era, while numerous interventions and entrepreneurial ideas are readily accessible, my experience has highlighted the critical importance of locally driven, data-analysed approaches. During the recent war in Lebanon, my involvement as a ‘citizen scientist’ demonstrated that local actors could respond to the needs of displaced populations more swiftly and effectively than government bodies or large international NGOs in Beirut, owing to a deeper understanding of the on-ground situation.

This direct experience underscored a vital need: enhancing the capacity for data-driven interventions. International NGOs often face delays in data acquisition and response, resulting in less effective aid. Therefore, it is crucial to train more individuals in research methodologies. Many people possess valuable ideas, but lack the skills to translate them into well-designed, data-backed interventions that truly reflect community needs. Empowering more individuals with research skills would accelerate the collection of accurate data and responses, ensuring aid is both timely and relevant.

What do you hope to do next? How do you think your work on citizen science will help you in the future?

My immediate plans focus on ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Jowan program. Beyond its current educational and life skills components, I aim to expand its services to include vital connectivity and health support for both parents and children. This involves developing a comprehensive program designed to become self-reliant and sustainable, ensuring its continuous implementation.

Concurrently, I am committed to protecting the ‘Mayyel’ initiative, a citizen scientist-led intervention dedicated to senior citizens, offering a new social program that brings them together through meetings, activities, and events - fostering a cohesive and active community. The project aims to have a positive impact on the lives of local communities and was born as a result of a Vulnerability assessment following the Beirut Port Explosion. My vision is to establish larger ‘Mayyel’ communities in multiple areas, fostering connections between them to create a broader network of intergenerational support.

On a personal level, my goal is to delve deeper into career guidance for young people and effectively implement innovative ideas within this field.

Do you have a recent book, film, or podcast that you would recommend?

I would recommend ‘Coded Bias’ on Netflix; the documentary explores the biases embedded in artificial intelligence and algorithms, particularly in facial recognition technology. The film provides a critical perspective on the ethical implications of data and technology, highlighting the need for vigilance and inclusive design in digital interventions.