Citizen science for policy formulation and implementation

Citizen Science, powered by mobile, online and computing tools, offers an effective way to connect European Union (EU) citizens and policy. Citizens can get involved by taking part in science-related processes and by understanding and guiding the changes taking place around them. Such practices have the potential to significantly impact local and national decision-making, empowering citizens and leading to a better and more transparent government. But how can citizens' knowledge and these novel inflows of data practically enhance the policy-making and implementation processes? In this chapter we start by addressing the potential of Citizen Science in policy formulation and implementation, ranging from societal and economic benefits, to scientific and political ones. We also will look at the current challenges preventing its sustained uptake by public authorities, such as diverse legislation across the EU, resistance from professional scientists, managing expectations of contributing citizens and data comparability, while discussing the main tensions and bridges between top-down and bottom-up approaches for Citizen Science. The chapter will also address the game changers, strategies and recommendations for the coordination of Citizen Science initiatives at EU level. We will draw from international experience, with case studies from EU, US, Germany, Austria and UK that exemplify the potential of Citizen Science to strengthen policy making.

FIGUEIREDO DO NASCIMENTO Susana;  RUBIO-IGLESIAS Jose Miguel;  OWEN Roger;  SCHADE Sven;  SHANLEY Lea; 

2018-11-14

UCL Press

JRC103892

http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/10058422/1/Citizen-Science.pdf,    https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC103892,