Why Citizen science?
While a strong and broad representation of relevant stakeholders is important for Citizen science, a diversity of people's engagement in Citizen science projects is not self-evident. Citizen science participants are mostly white adults, have above median income, and are college-educated. Participation in CS projects demands time, skills, and confidence, as well as an intentional research design and methodology that ensures inclusiveness and equality. We want to promote the empowerment and inclusion of citizens, especially those from minority groups (e.g. migrants, elderly), so that they can have equitable participation in Citizen science initiatives.
A project on inclusive citizen science
The citizen science pilot "Establishing a Community on Empowering, Inclusive, and Equitable Citizen Science within ECIU” (ECIE) received its funding under the EU project SMART-ER.
In the ECIE project 2-3 local Citizen Science projects identified by the partners have served as the basis of a transnational analysis of the barriers and enablers in Citizen Science design and implementation processes. We identified good practices and lessons learned that support inclusivity, empowerment, and equality. We then developed a framework for inclusive, empowering, and equitable Citizen science, in order to aid the design or implementation of future citizen science projects.
ECIE brought together six universities:
- University of Twente (coordinator)
- University of Aveiro
- Kaunas University of Technology
- Linköping University
- Tampere University
- Dublin City University
