Exploring the entry points for citizen science in urban sustainability initiatives

Abstract

Citizen science is key to the success of Future Earth Initiatives for urban sustainability. Emerging research in urban land teleconnections highlights the benefits of incorporating theoretical insights from political ecology and participatory action research. Reviewing some of the forces propelling the recent popularity of citizen science, this article outlines challenges to processes of collaboration between scientists and non-scientists. We distinguish these concerns from others that may arise from the data or other products resulting from citizen science projects. Careful consideration of the processes and products of citizen science could engender a more fruitful relationship between professional scientists and their research communities and help universities to build effective partnerships with those in wider society whose expertise comes from their life experience.

Finding Pathways to More Equitable and Meaningful Public-Scientist Partnerships

“…For example, collecting data with community assistance, but without adequate informed consent regarding control of resulting products, can compound injustices experienced by under-represented groups (Colston et al 2015, Drabiak-Syed 2010. Negative attitudes toward science may be reinforced when research findings fail to stimulate appropriate responses to community threats.…”

Covid and Higher Education

“…Franco &Cappa (2021); Simon et al (2022); Paulos (2009); Colston et al (2015); Roger and Motion (2021); Saundlers et al (2018); Soanes & Lentini (2019).…”

Citizen Science and the Sustainable Development Goals in Low and Middle Income Country Cities

“…Challenges unique to LMIC cities also need to be explored. While the "smart cities" concept, for example, aims to capitalise on the prevalence of smart phones, low cost sensors, social media, and other big data to monitor the city environment and inform urban management [18], challenges exist to these approaches, including data privacy and participant safety; data ownership and accessibility and thus who controls, interprets, and ultimately benefits from data [18,49]. Furthermore, the focus on the use of technologies risks the digital exclusion of vulnerable groups [50], which is likely to be particularly acute in LMICs.…”