Exploring the role of the amateur in the production and circulation of meteorological knowledge

Abstract

There is a growing scholarship on the role of the amateur, and amateur societies, in the production and circulation of weather and climate knowledge in the past. Yet relatively little attention has been paid to the actual and potential contribution of contemporary amateur meteorologists in this respect. In this paper we first examine the importance of the amateur historically in the production of local weather knowledge and also in the emergence of professional meteorology. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with members of one contemporary UK based amateur meteorological organisation-the Climatological Observers Link (COL)-we then investigate the nature and extent of contemporary amateur meteorologists' contributions to a wide range of different 'publics' today, which include both popular and professional communities. Finally, we interrogate our interview data to identify whether COL members themselves recognise a wider role for their expertise at a time of increasing popular and scientific interest in weather and climate and in an era when the inclusion of non-certified experts in policy decision making processes is being advocated.

Gordon Valentine Manley and his contribution to the study of climate change: a review of his life and work

“…92 His approach may have gained renewed significance in a contemporary context where crowd sourcing is being advocated, and where recognition of the complexity and uncertainty associated with both the physical and social aspects of climate is thought to be reinforcing the value of non-expert engagement. 93 Manley was also intrigued by the interplay of climate and culture and pursued a goal to encourage a culturally driven and local-scale consideration of climate as an expression of the 'integrated experiences' of weather in Britain in the mid-twentieth century (Ref 17, p. 1). His work in this vein also has renewed significance today, especially amid calls to 'reculture' climate change discourses by exploring 'the relationship between local weather and cultural practices' (Ref 94, p. 6).…”

“…In as much, it could be argued that Manley anticipated by several decades work on the co‐production of scientific knowledge . His approach may have gained renewed significance in a contemporary context where crowd sourcing is being advocated, and where recognition of the complexity and uncertainty associated with both the physical and social aspects of climate is thought to be reinforcing the value of non‐expert engagement …”

Enjoying the ice. Dutch Winter landscapes, weather and climate in the Golden Age, 17th century

“…Indeed, throughout history, people have always given their impression about the weather (Pfister et al, 1999;Thomasset and Ducos, 1998). Nowadays, even though the scientific, meteorological measures are well developed around the world, many people still share their own observations (Endfield and Morris, 2012). Martin de la Soudière speaks about "metéophiles", or weather enthusiasts (de La Soudière and Tabeaud, 2009).…”

Friend or foe? UK farmers' relationships with the weather

“…Indeed, the role of amateur meteorologists in the production of local weather knowledge is increasingly gaining academic attention (Endfield and Morris 2012). Motivations for collecting weather information appear to originate from a desire for specific and accurate, highly localised data, which are not easily accessible from conventional weather forecasts.…”