BBC
A nationwide citizen science experiment for the digital age
A collaboration with BBC Four and 360 Productions to create a ground-breaking, social experiment for the digital age.
![](https://www.bigmotive.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/bbc-pandemic-feature-1.png)
![](https://www.bigmotive.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/bbc-pandemic-in-app-preview.png)
![](https://www.bigmotive.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/bbc-pandemic-app-screens.png)
![](https://www.bigmotive.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/bbc-pandemic-app-logo.png)
Problem
Did you know that an outbreak of a pandemic flu virus tops the UK government’s list of major threats to public safety? The trouble is: no one knows how fast a pandemic spreads or how best to stop one. Our challenge was to recruit 10,000 UK residents to download the ‘Pandemic’ app and complete a mobile research study. This would deliver a body of data that scientists can use to better predict the impact of a future pandemic.
![](https://www.bigmotive.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/bbc-pandemic-wireframe-collage.png)
Approach
We collaborated with a team of experts including; a research team at Cambridge University, The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, 360 Productions and BBC Four, to tackle the problem head-on and create massive engagement with a new kind of ‘citizen science’ experiment.
![](https://www.bigmotive.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/bbc-pandemic-illustraion-2.png)
![](https://www.bigmotive.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/bbc-pandemic-illustration-1.png)
![](https://www.bigmotive.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/bbc-pandemic-app-screen-mosaic.png)
Outcome
The target of 10,000 completed studies was smashed just six weeks after release. Six months later almost 100,000 people had taken part! The experiment has been hailed as a landmark success as was the televised story produced by 360 Productions. Celebrated mathematician, author and presenter Dr Hannah Fry, concluded that this ‘one-of-a-kind project has contributed to a huge leap forward in science that could someday save millions of lives’.
![](https://www.bigmotive.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/bbc-pandemic-wireframe-discussion.jpeg)