Learning objectives
At the end of the training activity, the student will acquire knowledge and skills related to Citizen Science (CS) from its inception to recent developments, defining its objectives, methods, and impacts, also through the analysis of successful case studies both at the national and international levels.
By the end of the course, it is expected that the student will be able to:
• Understand the necessary foundations to comprehend CS (definitions, inception and development, objectives, and scopes of application) – Knowledge and Understanding.
• Recognize the main technological and digital tools supporting CS – Knowledge and Understanding.
• Identify the necessary criteria to define a coherent and successful CS project – Applied Knowledge and Understanding.
• Critically analyze ongoing CS projects and propose solutions for their improvement – Autonomy of judgment.
• Integrate CS methodologies into scientific research projects with a particular focus on environmental monitoring and biodiversity – Learning skills.
• Disseminate the results of a CS project to both the scientific community and a non-expert audience, with particular attention to the stakeholders involved in the project (researchers, citizens, authorities, companies, funding organizations) – Communication skills.
Prerequisites
None
Course unit content
The teaching aims to provide theoretical and practical knowledge about Citizen Science (defined as the involvement of volunteers and scientists in collaborative research activities to generate new knowledge based on scientific evidence), in order to acquire the basic skills for designing research projects that can benefit from this approach. There will also be a critical analysis of the potential and limitations of this approach in order to identify effective intervention strategies.
To achieve this goal, the lectures will aim to provide students with both basic concepts and in-depth insights into the definitions of Citizen Science, its national and international origins, and its integration with European policies. Knowledge will be transmitted regarding the fields of action of CS projects, ranging from environmental and biodiversity monitoring to sociological analyses, encompassing biomedical and physical studies. Aspects related to new technologies and how they have been key to the success of CS will be addressed. Lastly, case study analyses will allow the application of previously learned concepts to assess strengths and challenges.
In-class exercises will be targeted at developing the skills necessary to set up a scientific research project, from defining the experimental question to interpreting and disseminating the results, experimenting with and integrating CS methodologies.
Throughout the course, students' autonomy of judgment will be enhanced by encouraging them to contribute with personal insights and considerations, as well as the ability to source data from appropriate sources, rework information, and communicate their specific knowledge clearly and sufficiently in-depth, providing concrete examples to support theories or general concepts.
Full programme
During the first lesson, the course program, its objectives, and examination methods will be explained. Information will also be provided about the instructional materials available and recommended textbooks (this information is also available on the Elly Course portal).
TOPICS COVERED
INTRODUCTION TO CITIZEN SCIENCE: Definitions and a brief history of its origins, development, and dissemination both at the national and international levels.
CONCEPTS AND TERMINOLOGY OF CITIZEN SCIENCE: Open science, open data, open innovation, and the ten principles of CS.
LEVELS OF CITIZEN SCIENCE: Actors, stakeholders, and the different degrees of involvement and participation of volunteers in projects.
TOOLS OF CITIZEN SCIENCE: New technologies such as digital platforms, crowdsourcing, smart devices in service of CS.
CITIZEN SCIENCE IN SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH: Advantages and challenges in using this tool in various research fields such as natural sciences (with particular emphasis on zoology), environmental, biomedical, humanistic, and social sciences.
CITIZEN SCIENCE AS A CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIETY: CS as a tool for inclusivity and integration in society, as a learning and problem-solving tool, and as a tool for ethics and well-being.
COMMUNICATION IN CS: The role of communication and its various channels as a key element for collaboration among different actors in Citizen Science projects.
GOVERNMENT POLICIES: Regarding Open Science and Citizen Science, with particular focus on the European and national contexts.
AGENDA 2030: Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Citizen Science.
HOW TO BUILD A CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECT: Critical analysis of some successful case studies, with a particular focus on environmental and biodiversity monitoring.
Bibliography
Educational materials (slides, scientific articles, and links to relevant websites) will be made available to students on the Elly portal and may be periodically updated throughout the course.
Recommended textbooks (print and/or digital):
1. Hecker, Susanne, et al., editors. "Citizen Science: Innovation in Open Science, Society and Policy." UCL Press, 2018. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctv550cf2.
2. Katrin Vohland, et editors. "The Science of Citizen Science." Springer Cham, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-58278-4.
Teaching methods
The educational activities will be conducted by prioritizing an active learning approach alternating with frontal lectures. Frontal lectures will make extensive use of multimedia tools and delve into the logic and experimental methodologies used by researchers in the field of CS. In the second part of the lecture, cycles of experiential learning will be activated, during which students will be required to apply theory through the analysis of real case studies.
The slides used to support the lectures will be uploaded on the Elly platform on a weekly basis. To download the slides, enrollment in the online course is necessary.
The slides do not replace the course or textbooks but are considered an integral part of the educational material. Attendees and non-attendees are reminded to check the available educational material and other indications provided by the instructor through the Elly platform.
Assessment methods and criteria
The assessment is carried out through a final oral examination, followed by a grading on a scale of thirty, which will be communicated to the student immediately at the end of the test. The student must demonstrate understanding and the ability to apply the fundamental concepts of each topic covered.
The test is divided into two parts: in the first part, the student will critically analyze a case study among those presented during the course, while in the second part, knowledge acquired during the lectures will be assessed.
Other information
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2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
4 - Quality education
10 - Reduced inequalities
11 - Sustainable cities and communities
