To have your citizen science cake and eat it? Delivering research and outreach through Open Air Laboratories (OPAL)

BMC Ecology

Research

René van der Wal¹  Linda Davies²  Poppy Lakeman-Fraser²  Laura Gosling²  Roger Fradera²  Maxwell A. Ayamba³  Andy J. Moffat⁴  Sarah E. West⁵ 

[1] Aberdeen Centre for Environmental Sustainability, School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, AB24 3UU, Aberdeen, UK;Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, South Kensington, SW7 1NA, London, UK;Department for the Natural and Built Environment, Faculty of Development and Society, Sheffield Hallam University, S1 1WB, Sheffield, UK;Forest Research, Alice Holt Lodge, GU10 4LH, Farnham, Surrey, UK;Stockholm Environment Institute, University of York, Heslington, YO10 5DD, York, UK;

关键词: Citizen science;    Evaluation framework;    Lessons learned;    OPAL;    Outputs;    Outreach;    Public participation in scientific research;    Research;    Trade-off;    Volunteers;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12898-016-0065-0

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundThe vast array of citizen science projects which have blossomed over the last decade span a spectrum of objectives from research to outreach. While some focus primarily on the collection of rigorous scientific data and others are positioned towards the public engagement end of the gradient, the majority of initiatives attempt to balance the two. Although meeting multiple aims can be seen as a ‘win–win’ situation, it can also yield significant challenges as allocating resources to one element means that they may be diverted away from the other. Here we analyse one such programme which set out to find an effective equilibrium between these arguably polarised goals. Through the lens of the Open Air Laboratories (OPAL) programme we explore the inherent trade-offs encountered under four indicators derived from an independent citizen science evaluation framework. Assimilating experience from the OPAL network we investigate practical approaches taken to tackle arising tensions.ResultsWorking backwards from project delivery to design, we found the following elements to be important: ensuring outputs are fit for purpose, developing strong internal and external collaborations, building a sufficiently diverse partnership and considering target audiences. We combine these ‘operational indicators’ with four pre-existing ‘outcome indicators’ to create a model which can be used to shape the planning and delivery of a citizen science project.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that whether the proverb in the title rings true will largely depend on the identification of challenges along the way and the ability to address these conflicts throughout the citizen science project.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Lakeman-Fraser et al. 2016