Welcome to Citizen Science Online! In alignment with Auroville’s vision of human unity, collective progress, and a shared research culture, we view your data as a meaningful reflection of your personal voice. This platform aims to protect your personal privacy while honoring your role as an active co-creator of knowledge. All language here is kept intentionally simple to ensure it remains accessible to individuals of all ages and backgrounds. 

 

1. Community Aspirations

When you step into a citizen science study, you enter a community space built on shared ideals and mutual respect. By participating, you commit to the following values:

1. Engage with a true collective aspiration toward human unity and progress.

2. Look within yourself to focus on personal responsibility and authentic contributions.

3. Use gender-inclusive terminology in all your sharings. 

​

Note: We welcome the participation of children and youth. If you are under 18, you must ask your parent or legal guardian for consent before participating. 

 

     2. Global Ethical Standards

Across the international research community, a definitive line is drawn between administrative governance and scientific data custody. To maintain scientific integrity and validate CIRHU as a trusted research institute, we follow two baseline global research principles: Data Minimization (collect only the absolute minimum amount of personal data required to fulfill its scientific objectives) and the Principle of Least Privilege (restricting access to emails and raw data only to those who execute a study).

​

2.1 In the absence of a secure CIRHU research platform

Utilizing the official Google’s workspace  @auroville.org.in institutional email infrastructure serves as our strongest immediate safeguard. By routing participation through this official channel, all raw inputs are securely stored in the 3-Months Living Laboratory Cycle under the direct technical responsibility and security protocols of the Auroville Mailbox Office. All Email addresses and raw data will be deleted from the Google Form entirely by the end of each cycle.

​

2.2 Evolution of Language

In alignment with our core principles of human unity and collective equality, language must reflect the fullness of humanity. Historically, (including the works of Sri Aurobindo and Mirra Alfassa) texts have frequently used exclusive masculine terms - such as "he," "his," "brotherhood," and "mankind"  - to represent the general population, inadvertently marginalizing half of the world's people. To ensure true inclusivity in the 21st century, all textual references and quotes featured across this website are intentionally updated to gender-neutral, inclusive language (such as "they," "their," "human unity," and "humanity"). Language shapes consciousness, and by evolving our vocabulary, we create an equitable, shared space where every individual is explicitly seen, valued, and included.

​

2.3 Commitments

As a research institute, our scientific pursuits are strictly guided by ethical frameworks that honor the individuals behind the data:

1. We strive to create a safe space of inclusion, moving past personal ego so every individual contribution holds identical value.

2. Our research is designed to maximize benefits to humanity and Auroville while actively minimizing any potential risk, distress, or harm to participants.

3. Participation is entirely voluntary. No coercion, tracking without consent, or deceptive practices will ever be used.

4. We commit to unbiased data analysis and transparent dissemination of knowledge. We do not manipulate citizen science data to fit predetermined outcomes.

 

     3. Sharing & Anonymity

To bridge the gap between individual insight and collective progress, we secure your information through a strict research cycle:

1. This platform is hosted via Auroville.org.in Google Forms. You can log in securely with your @auroville.org.in  email or any personal Gmail address. We collect your email address solely to verify participation and to prevent duplicate entries.

2. Before any data analysis begins, email addresses are unlinked from responses. 

3. Scientific insights and community patterns generated here will be shared openly to foster collective progress. However, public contributions and published findings will never be tied to your name, email, or identity.

4. Only authorized researchers can access the raw data. It is stored until analyzed on a dedicated Auroville.org.in Google workspace.

5. Your email address is retained only for verification during the active study phase. It will be permanently deleted from the research datasets after the conclusion of the study is published.

6. Your personal email address and insights will never be published, sold, bartered, or shared with commercial entities or advertisers.

​

3.1 Your Rights 

You hold full ownership of your digital voice. You retain the following rights:

1. You can request the absolute deletion of your email address and research responses at any point during the active study phase.

2. To exercise your rights please contact: cirhu_citizenscience@auroville.org.in

 

      4. Limitations 

This platform is a collaborative, community-driven research tool provided in good faith:

1. We provide this platform "as-is" without formal guarantees of uninterrupted service.

2. Because this platform utilises Google Forms for data collection, your usage is also subject to Google’s standard Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

3. We may update this document occasionally. Updates will be posted clearly on this page.

​