About this Event
Reading your River: Citizen Science Water Pollution Monitoring
Join a year-long, resident-led citizen science project uncovering what lives in Hackney’s canals. No science background needed.
Reading your River is a resident-led citizen science project run by Lifefabs Institute, exploring the hidden life of our local canals: the Regent’s Canal, Hertford Union and Lee Navigation.
Over 12 monthly hands-on sessions, we’ll sample the canals together, track E. coli levels and collect eDNA (the traces of DNA that living things leave behind in the water). Back at Lifefabs Lab, we’ll sequence those samples as a group to reveal who and what shares our waterways, from bacteria to fish.
This is the first session, so it’s the perfect place to start. We’ll cover:
- The project: what we’re investigating, why it matters, and how your data will contribute to a growing picture of London’s water
- Ways to monitor water: from simple field tests to DNA-based methods, and what each one can tell us
- Our kits and sequencing: a first look at the equipment and DNA sequencing we’ll be using in future sessions (no sequencing in this session, it’s an introduction)
- Creative hardware making: a hands-on session building and tinkering with tools for monitoring the water in your own way
Who is this for?
Anyone curious about their local environment. You don’t need any science background, just bring your curiosity! Sessions are designed for complete beginners, and you’ll be working alongside Lifefabs researchers and PhD volunteers in molecular ecology, eDNA and bioinformatics.
Can I come to just one session?
Yes, you’re welcome to join this introduction and see how you get on. The project runs monthly for 12 months, and we’d love for you to stay with us and help shape where it goes.
Accessibility Statement:
Lifefabs Institute is committed to ensuring that our events and workshops are as accessible as possible and meet the ever-changing needs of our community. As we navigate the opportunities and challenges of our workshops, we are constantly learning and adjusting our workflows to prioritise accessibility.
We’d love to hear any feedback our community might have.
Please contact us at events@lifefabs.bio if you have any specific accessibility requirements or questions.
Reading your River: Fieldwork Acessibility Information
Part of this session takes place at the canal sites, outdoors and on towpaths. Please let us know about any accessibility needs when you book or email us at events@lifefabs.bio, and we’ll do our best to plan step-free routes and make sure everyone can take part comfortably.
Seating:
Seating is usually unreserved for our events. If you and your group require seating reservations, please do let us know by emailing us at [email protected] and we'd be more than happy to help.
Carers can receive a free ticket to an event by emailing [email protected]
Support to Attend Our Events & WorkshopsLifefabs Institute may be able to offer financial assistance to enable adults or children to participate in our events and activities if this would otherwise be financially difficult. Please contact our team: [email protected] and we will aim to agree a reduction or bursary or wavier your fee free of charge.
About Lifefabs Institute: Community Biofab Lab & Research Space
Lifefabs is an open-access biofabrication space that provides graduates, creatives, schools, communities and scientists access to scientific learning and exchange knowledge around biofabrication.
We want to break down barriers to research and STEAM learning, offering a space to learn, experiment and contribute to our understanding of biomaterials and bioengineering. A space for interdisciplinary knowledge exchange, Lifefabs encourages non-scientists, local communities to feel welcome and be curious about Biodesign, promoting accessibility though hands-on community lab.
Event venue & nearby stays
Lifefabs: Community Biofabrication Lab + R&D Studio, Gillett Place, London, United Kingdom
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.