Citizen science has emerged as a pivotal paradigm for the generation and refinement of digital geographic data, particularly within regions often overlooked by commercial mapping initiatives (Vohland et al., 2021). This is especially critical in areas characterized by rapid urbanization, humanitarian crises, or environmental vulnerability, where up-to-date and accurate spatial information is paramount for effective planning, disaster response, and sustainable development. Within this context, mapathons, defined as organized collaborative mapping events, have gained considerable traction within humanitarian and development communities. These intensive mapping sessions leverage the collective effort of volunteers to contribute to platforms like OpenStreetMap (OSM), a free and open-source geographic database of the world (Mooney & Mingini, 2017). Universities, as hubs of knowledge, innovation, and community engagement, have increasingly become vital centres for the establishment and operation of humanitarian mapping communities, often driven by student interest in applying geospatial skills to address real-world challenges.

This paper delves into the complex landscape of organizing and executing mapathons within university settings, drawing upon empirical observations and practical experiences primarily gathered in Czechia, with a specific focus on Tomas Bata University (TBU) as a representative example of a regional university deeply engaged in community outreach and regional development initiatives. Utilizing the framework of OpenStreetMap and the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT) Tasking Manager – essential tools for humanitarian mapping – this research undertakes a comprehensive analysis of the multifaceted challenges and opportunities inherent in university-based mapathons. The methodology combines quantitative analysis of mapping contributions with qualitative assessment through participant feedback collected during multiple mapathon events at TBU between 2019 and 2024.

The paper is structured around several key research questions designed to illuminate the critical factors influencing the efficacy and impact of these events. Firstly, we explore the intrinsic and extrinsic motivations that drive university students to participate in humanitarian mapping activities. Understanding these motivations is crucial for designing effective recruitment and retention strategies (Štampach et al., 2021). A critical yet understudied challenge in sustaining engagement lies in harnessing narrative methods to amplify intrinsic motivations among participants. In this context, storytelling seems to be a potentially promising method. Participants are more interested in the quality of the task completed, but in addition, they are inspired to perform and engage in other activities with a similar story they can emotionally empathize with. This emotional connection appears to significantly enhance commitment levels and mapping persistence over time.

Secondly, we examine the inherent limitations and learning curves associated with mapping contributions from both novice and experienced mappers within a mapathon setting. This includes an assessment of data quality, mapping accuracy, and the types of errors commonly introduced by mappers with varying levels of expertise. Thirdly, we analyze the factors that enhance or diminish the attractiveness of individual mapping tasks presented within the HOT Tasking Manager. This encompasses the geographical context of tasks, the perceived impact of contributions, and the clarity and scope of mapping instructions.

Beyond these human-centric aspects, the paper also grapples with technical challenges that can impede the smooth operation and effectiveness of university mapathons. One significant constraint explored is the limitations imposed by changeset size restrictions for new OSM contributors, a feature designed to manage data quality but potentially hindering the productivity of large-scale mapathons. Furthermore, we rigorously assess the influence of different software interfaces on mapper performance and data quality, comparing the widely used web-based iD editor with the more feature-rich desktop application JOSM (Java OpenStreetMap Editor).

Finally, the study investigates the impact of the geometry and complexity of vectorized objects on mapping efficiency and accuracy. We specifically consider the relative challenges associated with mapping different feature types such as roads (linear), buildings (polygonal), and land use areas (polygonal), and how these geometric characteristics affect the overall mapathon workflow. The various elements have different requirements for accuracy and mappers' experience, and some objects are easier for beginners and vice versa. Appropriate choice of mapping tasks can contribute to better participation and overall efficiency of geographic data production.

The preliminary results of this research strongly indicate that well-structured mapathon activities, coupled with robust community engagement strategies, can substantially augment both the level of student engagement and the overall scope and quality of volunteered geographic information (VGI). The foundation for these results is also data from the mapathons already held at Tomas Bata University, which point to a significant amount of recorded geospatial data. Through the coordinated involvement of a large number of participants over a period of time, the mapping has a significant impact on certain humanitarian activities in endangered and unheeded places on Earth. Our analysis indicates that structured university mapathons can achieve notably higher feature completion rates and lower error rates compared to ad-hoc mapping efforts, particularly when incorporating targeted training components.

By meticulously addressing the identified challenges and capitalizing on the inherent opportunities within university environments, we can significantly enhance the contribution of citizen science to global geospatial data to the benefit of both the mappers themselves and the users of the collected data. This research contributes to the growing body of knowledge on participatory mapping methodologies while offering practical guidance for university stakeholders seeking to establish or enhance humanitarian mapping initiatives within their institutions.