Crowdsourcing has emerged as a powerful tool in various fields, leveraging the collective intelligence and creativity of diverse groups to solve complex problems. Noted as “thinking about collective efforts and collective actions, and then sharing the outcomes with the community,” crowdsourcing harnesses diverse perspectives, leading to innovative solutions that might not arise from traditional methods. This approach has proven effective across technology, business, and social and scientific research, showcasing its versatility and potential for transformative impact. 

Quotation above was one of the key points from a webinar titled “Enhancing Health Solutions Through Crowdsourcing” held online on July 30th, 2024, at 14:00 local time (GMT +7). The event, a collaboration between Center for Tropical Medicine UGM, TDR Global Asia, and SIHI Indonesia, featured Dr. Joe Tucker, MD, PhD, AM, as the main speaker. It explored the transformative potential of crowdsourcing in health research and innovation, attracting a diverse audience eager to learn about this approach.

Dr. Joe Tucker’s presentation on crowdsourcing emphasized the power of collective efforts and actions. He presented this relatively new and niche concept to participants, even though it is widely used globally in various forms, like the Dengue elimination project in Sri Lanka. This topic sparked curiosity among participants, leading to a lively Q&A session. One of the participants, Mutiara Shinta Noviar, asked through Zoom chat, inquiring whether using social media platforms such as X to gather responses in a research would be considered crowdsourcing. Other participants had similar questions, reflecting that crowdsourcing is still relatively unfamiliar to the public, but there is evident curiosity.

A key part of the webinar was the discussion on the potential and challenges of using crowdsourcing in Southeast Asia. Dr. Tucker highlighted that while crowdsourcing is still relatively new in Indonesia and the region, it holds great promise for advancing health research and solutions. The session addressed common concerns and obstacles, providing strategies to overcome them and maximize the benefits of crowdsourcing. This discussion gave participants a better understanding of the practical aspects and future possibilities of crowdsourcing in their local contexts, sparking curiosity and a willingness to explore this innovative approach further.