Incorporating citizen science in open science: a case study of participatory rainfall measurements in the context of a Technical University

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra de Vries ◽  
Marit Bogert ◽  
Sabine Kunst ◽  
Nicoleta Nastase
Keyword(s):  
Citizen Science ◽  
Science Communication ◽  
Open Science ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Civil Society Organizations ◽  
Science Program ◽  
Participatory Science ◽  
The University ◽  
The City

<p>Citizen science has globally been recognized as a vital part of open science and as a way of doing research that enables new levels of science education and science communication. Due to its high levels of public participation, citizen science can be of great value in bringing society and science closer together. Universities across the world have acknowledged this value and aim to incorporate citizen science in their policies and daily practices as part of their open science practices.</p><p>The Delft University of Technology has set the goal to develop an open science program that includes citizen science. However, implementing and incorporating citizen science in an open science program is not a straightforward task and demands knowledge, understanding, and experience of the field as well as the practical implications. What should a university do to support the goals of various citizen science initiatives, within an open science context, and to assist and facilitate researchers to perform effective participatory science? To gain a deeper understanding of what a citizen science project entails within the context of a university, we performed a case-study implementing citizen science methods for hydrological research. The project, called Delft Measures Rain, was developed in collaboration with external partners and several internal departments and their staff, some already having experience with developing and coordinating citizen science projects. Citizens of Delft were encouraged to participate and work together with scientists from the Water Management department to investigate rainfall patterns within the city. In total, 95 citizens collaborated for two months to collect over 1900 individual rainfall measurements spread over the city and taken with home-made rain gauges.  We developed tailored recruitment strategies, data collection and validation tools, data visuals, and communication strategies. Overall, the project has delivered valuable results, including reliable rainfall data, involvement and enthusiasm of citizens, and valuable feedback from participants. Additionally, this project has led to more cooperation of relevant institutions and civil society organizations (CSO) across the city and between different departments within the university itself.</p><p>This case-study has showcased how various stakeholders (researchers, citizens, civil servants, CSO’s, etc.) can benefit from co-developed participatory research implementing citizen science and open science principles. With this case study, we were able to identify the benefits, drawbacks, and opportunities for all stakeholders involved. Furthermore, we identified key tools and facilitation needs to assist researchers within the university to perform effective participatory science. During the session, we would like to share our methods, successes, challenges, and lessons learned. This project shows that, with the right knowledge and tools, citizen science can deliver what it promises and be of great value to universities and open science in general. </p>

Combining forces

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 812-826 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison Munro ◽  
Jean Marcus ◽  
Katie Dolling ◽  
John Robinson ◽  
Jennifer Wahl
Keyword(s):  
Graduate Student ◽  
Work Experience ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Community Sustainability ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Program Participant ◽  
University Of British Columbia ◽  
The University ◽  
The City

Purpose This paper describes the sustainability partnership between the City of Vancouver and the University of British Columbia (UBC) and, in particular, the co-curricular Greenest City Scholars graduate student internship program, which has been developed by the two organizations. Through the program, UBC graduate students work on projects at the City that help to advance sustainability targets. The paper aims to explore the successes, challenges and lessons learned from the program. Design/methodology/approach This case study uses literature and document review, observations, program participant evaluation surveys and project impact survey feedback. Findings The Greenest City Scholars program model has contributed to the sustainability goals at UBC and the City of Vancouver and has supported the partnership between the two organizations. The program has grown over its five-year history and is considered to be a central part of the partnership. Breadth of student participants from across the university and high participation from City departments have been achieved. The model is now being adapted to be delivered within other partnerships. Practical implications The experiences presented in this case study can help other higher education institutions understand how a co-curricular graduate student work experience program could help to bolster their own sustainability partnerships. Originality/value This paper makes a contribution by providing insight into the use of a graduate student program to advance the goals of a university–community sustainability partnership.

scholarly journals Implications of the GC-HARMS Fishermen’s Citizen Science Network: Issues Raised, Lessons Learned, and Next Steps for the Network and Citizen Science

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 570-598 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Sullivan ◽  
Sharon Croisant ◽  
Marilyn Howarth ◽  
Wilma Subra ◽  
Marylee Orr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Citizen Science ◽  
Social Dynamics ◽  
Gulf Coast ◽  
Community Based Participatory Research ◽  
Community Outreach ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Project Outcomes ◽  
Participatory Science ◽  
Cultural Fluency ◽  
Political Economic

This paper is intended to complement our extended documentation and analysis of the activities of the Gulf Coast Health Alliance: Health Risks related to the Macondo Spill project Community Outreach and Dissemination Core entitled, “Building and maintaining a citizen science network with fishermen and fishing communities after the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster using a Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) approach.” We discuss nuances of CBPR practice, including trust-building, clarification of stakeholder expectations, balancing timelines and agendas, cultural fluency, and the importance of regional history—political-economic context, regulatory practices, and cultural life-ways—in creating social dynamics that overarch and underpin the entire process. We examine the unique role of knowledge-making hybrid structures like the project’s Fishermen’s citizen science network and compare/contrast this structure with other models of participatory science or deliberation. Finally, we reiterate the importance of environmental health literacy efforts, summarize project outcomes, and offer thoughts on the future roles of collaborative efforts among communities and institutional science in environmental public health.

scholarly journals Evaluating citizen science outreach: A case-study with The Peregrine Fund’s American Kestrel Partnership

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. e0248948
Author(s):  
Sarah E. Schulwitz ◽  
Greg C. Hill ◽  
Vanessa Fry ◽  
Christopher J. W. McClure
Keyword(s):  
Citizen Science ◽  
Communication Strategies ◽  
Monitoring Program ◽  
Research Priorities ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Discussion Boards ◽  
Science Program ◽  
Science Outreach ◽  
American Kestrel

Citizen science programs can be powerful drivers of knowledge and scientific understanding and, in recent decades, they have become increasingly popular. Conducting successful research with the aid of citizen scientists often rests on the efficacy of a program’s outreach strategies. Program evaluation is increasingly recognized as a critical practice for citizen science practitioners to ensure that all efforts, including outreach, contribute to the overall goals of the program. The Peregrine Fund’s American Kestrel Partnership (AKP) is one such citizen science program that relies on outreach to engage participants in effective monitoring of a declining falcon species. Here, we examine whether various communication strategies were associated with desired outreach goals of the AKP. We demonstrate how social media, webcams, discussion boards, and newsletters were associated with perception of learning, agreement with our conservation messaging, and participation in our box monitoring program. Our results thus help us to improve our outreach methodology, suggest areas where other citizen science programs might improve their outreach efforts, and highlight future research priorities.

Sunspot observation by the cooperation of amateur astronomers and researchers in Japan in early 20th century as early citizen science program

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (S367) ◽  
pp. 336-338
Author(s):  
Harufumi Tamazawa
Keyword(s):  
Citizen Science ◽  
Science Communication ◽  
Solar Physics ◽  
Practical Aspect ◽  
Early 20Th Century ◽  
Observation Data ◽  
Solar Observation ◽  
Science Program ◽  
Social Mission ◽  
Observation Network

AbstractThe development of astronomy has been developed by the cooperation of amateur astronomers and researchers. Sunspot observation is a good example of Extreme citizen science in early days. Issei YAMAMOTO (1889–1959), organized “Oriental Astronomical Association (OAA),” Yamamoto’s materials (now in Kwasan observatory) include solar observation data sent from many observers in Japan. From the viewpoint of today’s Citizen Science, collaborative observation of sunspot between researchers of solar physics and amateur astronomers in Japan has clearly a context of social mission rather than mere academic interest. From the viewpoint of science communication, we can see that Yamamoto’s call includes a social mission to promote astronomy in Japan, and that amateurs responded to Yamamoto’s call by participating in the observation network. It can be said that this collaboration have not only “cultural” aspect but also “civic”or “practical” aspect.

Hervey Bay in Transition

2004 ◽  
pp. 223-237
Author(s):  
Wayne Pease ◽  
Lauretta Wright ◽  
Malcolm Cooper
Keyword(s):  
Lessons Learned ◽  
City Council ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Community Capacity Building ◽  
Training Project ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Information Communications Technology ◽  
The University

In regional Australia there is a growing interest and investment in community capacity building and this is beginning to be formalised in a desire to integrate information communications technology opportunities with other forms of community development. This paper explores the opportunity for greater social integration based on the formation of community-based information communication technology (ICT) driven organizations, using a case study approach.  It is suggested that whether disseminating information, collaborating with other communities, assisting the development of new industries, or simply by sharing the lessons learned along the way, community-based IT can assist and support a community’s economic and social development.  Further, the paper supports the view that, where understanding and developing new forms of information technology through community informatics is accepted as an integral part of such development, communities will not just ‘improve the old’ but will more radically restructure themselves towards a knowledge-based future. The case study that underpins these observations is that of the development of Bay Connect, a community-based Internet development and training project, begun in Hervey Bay with Networking the Nation support, and which is now expanding into the adjacent Maryborough and surrounding Shires. It is also supported by the University of Southern Queensland’s Wide Bay and has an emergent role in supporting new and existing IT businesses, Bay Connect and the Hervey Bay City Council, in the creation and nurturing of an IT skills base within the region.

A case study of transformation in four African universities.

2021 ◽  
pp. 240-250
Author(s):  
David Kraybill ◽  
Moses Osiru
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Organizational Culture ◽  
Agricultural Education ◽  
Transformation Process ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Institutional Transformation ◽  
The University

Abstract This chapter presents selected analytical narratives of successful institutional transformation of tertiary agricultural education (TAE) from four African universities. The four universities analysed are Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya (JKUAT); Gulu University, Uganda (GU); University of Abomey Calavi, Benin (UAC); and the University of Venda, South Africa (UNIVEN). The study examines what each of the universities changed, and how they went about effecting and supporting those changes. The discussion focuses on both 'soft changes' in organizational culture and strategies, and 'hard changes' in enrolments, staffing, programmes, departments, faculties/colleges and campuses. Outcomes of the transformation process are described, along with lessons learned.

Higher Learning int eh Pacific

2011 ◽  
pp. 248-273
Author(s):  
Kirk Johnson ◽  
Jonathan K. Lee ◽  
Rebecca A. Stephenson ◽  
Julius C.S. Cena
Keyword(s):  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Higher Learning ◽  
Pacific Region ◽  
Academic Goals ◽  
Central Focus ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
The University ◽  
The Western Pacific

This chapter provides an overview of particular issues of diversity and technology within an island university. The chapter’s central focus rests on the complexity of both concepts within the context of higher education in the Pacific. In particular, the chapter highlights both the challenges and opportunities that the university faces as it attempts to address the unique multicultural landscape of the Western Pacific region and its technological realities. It focuses on a capstone senior-level course as a case study, and explores the possibilities inherent in directly addressing issues of diversity and technology while at the same time accomplishing the course’s prescribed academic goals. The chapter concludes by outlining 10 important lessons learned from the experience that others can benefit from, and establishes the importance of such a capstone experience for both students and faculty alike.

scholarly journals Building Virtual 3D City Model for Smart Cities Applications: A Case Study on Campus Area of the University of Novi Sad

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 476 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dušan Jovanović ◽  
Stevan Milovanov ◽  
Igor Ruskovski ◽  
Miro Govedarica ◽  
Dubravka Sladić ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smart Cities ◽  
Airborne Lidar ◽  
3D City Models ◽  
3D City Model ◽  
City Model ◽  
Novi Sad ◽  
The University ◽  
The City ◽  
City Models

The Smart Cities data and applications need to replicate, as faithfully as possible, the state of the city and to simulate possible alternative futures. In order to do this, the modelling of the city should cover all aspects of the city that are relevant to the problems that require smart solutions. In this context, 2D and 3D spatial data play a key role, in particular 3D city models. One of the methods for collecting data that can be used for developing such 3D city models is Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), a technology that has provided opportunities to generate large-scale 3D city models at relatively low cost. The collected data is further processed to obtain fully developed photorealistic virtual 3D city models. The goal of this research is to develop virtual 3D city model based on airborne LiDAR surveying and to analyze its applicability toward Smart Cities applications. It this paper, we present workflow that goes from data collection by LiDAR, through extract, transform, load (ETL) transformations and data processing to developing 3D virtual city model and finally discuss its future potential usage scenarios in various fields of application such as modern ICT-based urban planning and 3D cadaster. The results are presented on the case study of campus area of the University of Novi Sad.

Co-Designing Mobile Applications for Data Collection in Citizen Science Projects – Challenges and Lessons Learned within the Nachtlicht-BüHNE Project

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Friederike Klan ◽  
Christopher C.M. Kyba ◽  
Nona Schulte-Römer ◽  
Helga U. Kuechly ◽  
Jürgen Oberst ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Citizen Science ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Mobile Application ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Smartphone Apps ◽  
Science Project ◽  
Science Projects ◽  
Citizen Science Project

<p>Data contributed by citizen scientists raise increasing interest in many areas of scientific research. Increasingly, projects rely on information technology such as mobile applications (apps) to facilitate data collection activities by lay people. When developing such smartphone apps, it is essential to account for both the requirements of the scientists interested in acquiring data and the needs of the citizen scientists contributing data. Citizens and participating scientists should therefore ideally work together during the conception, design and testing of mobile applications used in a citizen science project. This will benefit both sides, as both scientists and citizens can bring in their expectations, desires, knowledge, and commitment early on, thereby making better use of the potential of citizen science. Such processes of app co-design are highly transdisciplinary, and thus pose challenges in terms of the diversity of interests, skills, and background knowledge involved.</p><p>Our “Nachtlicht-BüHNE” citizen science project addresses these issues. Its major goal is the development of a co-design process enabling scientists and citizens to jointly develop citizen science projects based on smartphone apps. This includes (1) the conception and development of a mobile application for a specific scientific purpose, (2) the design, planning and organization of field campaigns using the mobile application, and (3) the evaluation of the approach. In Nachtlicht-BüHNE, the co-design approach is developed within the scope of two parallel pilot studies in the environmental and space sciences. Case study 1 deals with the problem of light pollution. Currently, little is known about how much different light source types contribute to emissions from Earth. Within the project, citizens and researchers will develop and use an app to capture information about all types of light sources visible from public streets. Case study 2 focuses on meteors. They are of great scientific interest because their pathways and traces of light can be used to derive dynamic and physical properties of comets and asteroids. Since the surveillance of the sky with cameras is usually incomplete, reports of fireball sightings are important. Within the project, citizens and scientists will create and use the first German-language app that allows reporting meteor sightings.</p><p>We will share our experiences on how researchers and communities of citizen scientists with backgrounds in the geosciences, space research, the social sciences, computer science and other disciplines work together in the Nachtlicht-BüHNE project to co-design mobile applications. We highlight challenges that arose and present different strategies for co-design that evolved within the project accounting for the specific needs and interests of the communities involved.</p>

scholarly journals Practicing Science Communication in Digital Media

2021 ◽  
pp. 69-81
Author(s):  
Katharina Meinecke
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Digital Media ◽  
General Public ◽  
Science Communication ◽  
Classical Antiquity ◽  
Research Communication ◽  
Classical Archaeology ◽  
University Of Vienna ◽  
The University ◽  
The City

Katharina Meinecke describes a form of ‘Practicing Science Communication in Digital Media: A Course to Write the “Antike in Wien” Blog and Distribute it in Social Media at the University of Vienna in 2017’. In order to make students familiar with research communication to a general public and to enable them to practice both analogue and digital outreach activities, Meinecke had students write a blog and share their work in social media. An additional aim of the course was to enhance the visibility of Classical Archaeology in Vienna by highlighting the relevance of Classical antiquity in the city until today through content created by the participants.

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