Engaging with citizen scientists: Integrating environmental and climate considerations into research practice
ModulesEngaging with citizen scientists: Integrating environmental and climate considerations into research practice
To enable learners to identify and address environmental and climate considerations in citizen science throughout the research lifecycle, while ensuring fairness, sustainability, inclusion, and responsible engagement with citizen scientists.
At the end of the module, learners will be able to:
- Identify environmental and climate considerations relevant to citizen science activities.
- Apply environmental and climate ethics, including fairness, sustainability, and the Do No Significant Harm (DNSH) principle, throughout the research lifecycle.
- Recognise and address issues related to consent, data protection, power imbalances, and the roles and recognition of citizen scientists.
- Integrate environmental and climate considerations into the design, governance, implementation, evaluation, and long-term stewardship of citizen science projects.
What is this about?
Key considerations for citizen scientists
When engaging citizen scientists, environmental and climate considerations should be addressed throughout the research process from planning to long-term stewardship.
Design and plan responsibly
Clarify the purpose, roles and expectations of citizen participation. Consider environmental and social risks, inclusion, accessibility, fairness and fieldwork safety.
Protect people and data
Ensure appropriate ethical oversight and responsible data management. Protect personal and sensitive environmental information and consider potential harms before sharing data openly.
Support fair participation
Ensure participation is informed and voluntary. Provide appropriate training and support, recognise contributions, give feedback and involve citizen scientists in relevant decisions where possible.
Evaluate and sustain
Consider the scientific, ethical, environmental and social outcomes of the project, as well as the long-term management of data, platforms and responsibilities.
Explore the interactive guide: Engaging with Citizen Scientists: Integrating Environmental and Climate Considerations into Research Practice for practical guidance, examples, checklists and reflective questions.
Evaluation, learning and long-term stewardship
This subsection highlights environmental and climate considerations relevant to the evaluation of activities, learning processes, and the long-term responsibilities associated with citizen science research.
1. Evaluation
Plan evaluation that covers scientific quality, participant experience (e.g. motivation, perceived respect, learning), ethical performance, and the environmental and social impacts of project activities. Where appropriate, use measurable and transparent indicators to support evaluation, for example indicators related to data quality and reuse, inclusiveness and fairness of participation, handling of ethical incidents or DNSH concerns, and observed environmental or climate-related outcomes of the project.
2. Oversight and long-term stewardship
Document lessons learned and integrate them into institutional policies for citizen science, future project design, and training or micro-modules on research ethics and integrity. For citizen science projects with long-term monitoring objectives, identify appropriate oversight institutions (e.g., public agencies, trusted repositories, community organisations or RPOs) that can advocate for the interests of all stakeholders. Develop a realistic transition plan for long-term data and platform stewardship, including open data preservation where compatible with privacy and safety, governance arrangements for ongoing access and use, and responsibilities and resources after project funding ends.
Self-Reflection
Use these questions to pause and reflect on your citizen science project. Consider what you have already addressed, where gaps may remain, and what you could improve to ensure that your project is ethical, inclusive, responsible, and meaningful for all participants.
