Citizen Science in Your Research
Overview
Citizen science is an increasingly popular way to simultaneously do research and engage the public. Using technology and a large network of interested people, this participatory approach to research opens up new opportunities. With other traditional sources of funding becoming less dependable and with the growing importance of making science accessible to community members, more people are embarking on citizen science efforts. In this panel, learn from our panel of local experts on what it takes to run a successful citizen science project, how to avoid common pitfalls, and how to take advantage of existing platforms and data collection efforts.
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Panelists
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Preparation for this Breakout Session
Participants may wish to browse some of the articles and resources below. They should also brainstorm ideas for what data they would collect if involved in a citizen science project (in their own work or as part of someone else's) and what they would do to engage the public as an integral part of the knowledge generation process.
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Resources
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The presentation from the breakout session will be available online after the event. A list of resources about citizen science research and public engagement are presented here. The ideas presented in these resources are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the positions of MARINE.
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Articles:
Science isn't just for scientists
Federal Guideance and Tookit for Citizen Science and Crowdsourcing
Ballard et al. 2016 - Contributions to conservation outcomes by natural history museum-led citizen science: Examining evidence and next steps
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Web platforms for hosting or getting involved with citizen science projects:
LiMPETS is a citizen science and STEM education program for students. Annually, LiMPETS provides over 6,000 California youth (6th grade to college) the opportunity to experience the scientific process by collecting ecological data along the coast of California.
Monika Krach is the Science Education and Technology Specialist for the LiMPETS program. She earned her undergraduate degree from Princeton University and a graduate degree from Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego.
The Citizen Science program at the California Academy of Sciences focuses on discovering, observing, and documenting biodiversity. From monitoring species at rocky intertidal sites to bringing the public together to bioblitz local places, the goal is to give people opportunities to connect to the outdoors, to science, and to each other, while providing invaluable data for science and conservation.
Alison Young is the co-director of the Citizen Science program at the California Academy of Sciences, and is also a marine biologist focusing on rocky intertidal communities. Her background is a mix of academic sciences and formal and informal science education, and she loves that citizen science combines these two passions together!
The California Collaborative Fisheries Research Program (CCFRP) is an effort between scientists and local recreational fishers to monitor near-shore Marine Protected Areas. Since 2007, volunteer anglers have assisted with catch-and- release fishing trips as we have collected standardized data on species compositions, length, and relative abundance both inside and out of MPAs in central California.
Ryan Fields works as a technician in the Fisheries and Conservation Biology Lab at Moss Landing Marine Laboratories. His work focuses on CCFRP, and the use of stereo-video to learn about rocky-reef fish community structure. Ryan finished his Master’s Degree at MLML in the spring of 2016 after defending his thesis on Rosy Rockfish age and growth.
The Blue Water Task Force (BWTF) is the Surfrider Foundation’s volunteer-run, water testing, education and advocacy program. Their chapters use this program to alert citizens and officials in their communities about water quality problems and to work toward solutions. The BWTF has demonstrated success by identifying problems with beach and coastal water pollution, raising public awareness of these incidents and working collaboratively with local stakeholders to find and implement pollution solutions.