Transformative Citizen Science for Sustainability from edX

Citizens & scientists join forces

Citizen science has become an essential approach to address urgent sustainability challenges. It is critical that science and society work together. Science becomes more relevant as scientists and citizens upscale data collection, co-create knowledge and collectively act on outcomes.

" Transformative citizen science goes a step further. It is not just about knowing and 'doing things better' but also about 'doing better things' altogether."

For example, the BigO project ‘Big data against childhood Obesity‘ massively increased data collection, reaching out to over twenty thousand children from different countries to contribute over 107.000 pictures and other data on the impact of lifestyle and living conditions on health and well-being. It led to more awareness of schools on promotion of healthy behaviours across different income groups, and sparked changes on public health policy.

In this course you will explore several such successful examples of citizen science, including projects on:

water and air quality
disease
climate change and
loss of green spaces and biodiversity

Transforming society together

Well-designed citizen science enables citizens to collect, interpret and share data. Transformative citizen science goes a step further. It allows citizens to contribute to change on issues that matter to them. It is a process that challenges our assumptions and values, to co-create innovative solutions that can tackle sustainability challenges. It is not just about knowing and doing things better but also about doing better things all together

Your project and WUR's Citizen Science Hub

Citizen science can be used in a range of contexts, involving multiple stakeholders representing the world of civic society, governance and education. In this course you will develop a deep understanding of CS, the diverse ways of using it in practice, and the principles that make it work.

As course participant you gain access to a community of practice established by the Wageningen University & Research’s Citizen Science Hub, in which practitioners engage and support the development of new projects from across the globe.

Having this expertise will help you in gaining a position in governmental and non-governmental organisations as well as in institutions of higher education who are exploring ways to develop and utilize CS in an ambition to contribute to the transformation of the society at large. In other words, organisations and institutions that go beyond self-gain, with an intrinsic drive to help communities in becoming more sustainable, including the well-being of the collective and the planet.

For Whom

Are you:

a policy maker interested in developing broadly supported and informed solutions to sustainability issues?
a concerned citizen or professional working in an NGO or activist organization wishing to support citizens in working towards healthier, greener and more sustainable communities?
or an academic wishing to have more societal impact with your research by working more closely with citizens?

This course will help you take the next steps in making citizen science work for you.

What you'll learn

In this course you will have the ability to:

Develop a plan for initiating and sustaining a citizen science project, including strategies and skills for communication, data collection and management, and ethics.
Gain insight in the advantages of different types of citizen science projects, ranging from science-oriented to action-oriented, and the challenges of balancing citizen participation and scientific rigour.
Understand trade-offs in engaging citizens in each project phase from goal formulation to project evaluation. Practical examples and tools are given for data collection and storage, and communicating for impact.

The course is composed of theoretical and practical assignments that will enable you to:
- Understand the basic characteristics of Citizen Science
- Identify the strategic decisions of a citizen science project and activities for citizen involvement.
- Identify requirements and methods for data monitoring, storing, sharing, analysis, interpretation.
- Assess and communicate the process, outcomes and impact of a citizen science project.

Practical assignments:
Course staff and peers will give you feedback on your own project plan. This will help you master the iterative design-implementation cycle of goal-design-collect-evaluate. You will learn to:
- Determine your sustainability challenge as a citizen science opportunity.
- Develop a strategy for your Transformative Citizen Science Project.
- Plan the data monitoring, storing, sharing, analysis, interpretation of your project.
- Assess and communicate the process, outcomes and impact of your project.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Develop a plan for initiating and sustaining a citizen science project, including strategies and skills for communication, data collection and management, and ethics.
Gain insight in the advantages of different types of citizen science projects, ranging from science-oriented to action-oriented, and the challenges of balancing citizen participation and scientific rigour.

Understand trade-offs in engaging citizens in each project phase from goal formulation to project evaluation. practical examples and tools are given for data collection and storage, and communicating for impact.

Develop a plan for initiating and sustaining a citizen science project, including strategies and skills for communication, data collection and management, and ethics.
Gain insight in the advantages of different types of citizen science projects, ranging from science-oriented to action-oriented, and the challenges of balancing citizen participation and scientific rigour.
Understand trade-offs in engaging citizens in each project phase from goal formulation to project evaluation. practical examples and tools are given for data collection and storage, and communicating for impact.

Syllabus

MODULE 1: Citizen Science Basics

Increasingly, non-scientists are contributing to the scientific process in a myriad of CS initiatives worldwide. Given the urgency of the sustainability challenges of our time, opening up the scientific process to non-scientists is a powerful way to address these wicked problems. In this module you will learn the basic definitions and terms to understand different CS practices. You will know about setting goals and research questions to be tackled by a CS endeavour, how to identify who is directly and indirectly involved, and what ethical concerns to bear in mind when developing and deploying a CS project.

MODULE 2: Project strategy and design

This module will help you to decide on your overall project strategy and design. Given the CS goal, you learn how to define the appropriate level of engagement of scientists, citizens , policy makers and other stakeholders in different phases of the CS project, and find a gamut of possible communication tools. You will also learn how to define a strategy for the data collection, the recruitment plan, and the mobilization of citizen scientists in the project.

MODULE 3: Methods and tools

In this module, you will learn about the technical part of CS, including the requirements for platforms and methods for collecting data of good quality. This module helps you to oversee the data flow and specific expertise that you may need to handle and interpret collected data. Lastly, it will also help you to identify data privacy issues. These topics will be illustrated by many examples of existing CS projects.

MODULE 4: Communication and Impact In this module we focus on practices of monitoring, evaluation, and communication linked to the envisaged impact of the CS project. How to mobilize knowledge and expertise from citizen scientists, engage them in action but also ensure their needs are met? How to connect with policy makers and their political agenda? And what about mass - and social media, informing the wider public to put issues on the societal agenda or create trust and political support? What is the right content, language, format and timing of your message? We also reflect in this module on ethical issues involved in these practices.

Transversely to the theoretical modules 1, 2, 3 and 4 this course also contemplates the practical application of the acquired knowledge in a continued practical module called Transformative Citizen Science Project. In this continued module you will have the opportunity to choose a sustainable challenge of your interest and context to practice the tools and skills acquired to create and implement a citizen science project.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Designed for professionals in various fields, including policy makers, non-profit staff, and academics

Taught by leading experts from Wageningen University & Research's Citizen Science Hub

Includes hands-on labs and interactive materials to facilitate practical application of the concepts

Provides a strong foundation for beginners and strengthens existing knowledge for intermediate learners

Focuses on the practical aspects of citizen science, including communication, data collection, and evaluation

Covers a wide range of topics, including water quality, disease, climate change, and biodiversity loss

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Transformative Citizen Science for Sustainability with these activities:

Review Course Materials

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Reviewing course materials will help you to refresh your memory on the key concepts covered in the course.

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Go through the course syllabus and identify the key concepts.
Review your notes from lectures and readings.
Complete practice questions or exercises.

Organize Course Materials

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Organizing your course materials will help you to stay on top of the course content and to easily find the information you need.

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Create a filing system for your notes, readings, and assignments.
Keep a notebook or journal to track your progress.
Use a calendar or planner to keep track of deadlines.

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Career center

Learners who complete Transformative Citizen Science for Sustainability will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Environmental Consultant

Environmental Consultants need to be well-equipped to work with both civilians and investgators within the field of environmental science. The Transformative Citizen Science for Sustainability course can teach an Environmental Consultants how to create effective citizen science projects as well as the proper management of the data gathered in these projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Consultant

Climate Scientist

Climate Scientists are dedicated to studying and informing the public about climate change. The focus is often on mitigation and the development of tools to ameliorate long-term environmental damage. The Transformative Citizen Science for Sustainability course can help teach a Climate Scientist how to engage the public in data collection and other aspects of the scientific process.

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Social Scientist

The insights from the Transformative Citizen Science for Sustainability course can be immediately applied by a Social Scientist who may dedicate their academic career to citizen science research. The skills gained would assist in the study of data collected from citizen science projects to inform policy and action that creates a more sustainable future.

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Science Writer

Science Writers communicate complex scientific information to the public. The Transformative Citizen Science for Sustainability course can offer a Science Writer a unique perspective on citizen science projects. Storytelling and narrative are powerful ways to share data and engage the public.

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Sustainability Manager

Sustainability Managers are responsible for developing and implementing sustainability strategies for businesses and other organizations. The Transformative Citizen Science for Sustainability course can help a Sustainability Manager learn how to use citizen science as a tool for engaging stakeholders and measuring the impact of sustainability initiatives.

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Policy Analyst

A Policy Analyst may be tasked with solving sustainability issues or developing environmental policy. The Transformative Citizen Science for Sustainability course can help a Policy Analyst develop strong communication skills to work with stakeholders such as citizens, citizen scientists, and environmental leaders. In addition, how to collect, analyze, and disseminate data around sustainability.

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Data Analyst

Data Analysts will need to be able to use their skills to analyze and interpret data from a variety of sources. The Transformative Citizen Science for Sustainability course can help a Data Analyst learn how to collect, process, and analyze data from citizen science projects.

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Environmental Educator

Environmental Educators teach students and the general public about environmental issues. Their duties often include developing educational programs and materials and organizing community events. The Transformative Citizen Science for Sustainability course can teach an Environmental Educator how to use citizen science as a tool for engaging with the public and teaching about environmental issues.

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Community Organizer

Community Organizers bring people together to address issues that affect their community. This often involves organizing events, campaigns, and other activities. The Transformative Citizen Science for Sustainability course will teach a Community Organizer how to use citizen science as a tool for empowering communities to take action on environmental issues.

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Environmental Reporter

Environmental Reporters write about environmental issues for newspapers, magazines, and other media outlets. The Transformative Citizen Science for Sustainability course can offer an Environmental Reporter vital knowledge and connections in the world of Citizen Science. Specialized knowledge about data collection, interpretation, and storytelling about Citizen Science can raise the profile of an Environmental Reporter.

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Environmental Lawyer

Environmental Lawyers use their knowledge of the law to protect the environment. The Transformative Citizen Science for Sustainability course may prove helpful to an Environmental Lawyer as they develop a thorough understanding of citizen science and its role in environmental policy.

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Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for planning and executing projects. The Transformative Citizen Science for Sustainability course may be useful to a Project Manager who oversees projects that involve citizen science.

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Public Relations Specialist

Public Relations Specialists are responsible for managing the public image of organizations. The Transformative Citizen Science for Sustainability course may be useful to a Public Relations Specialist who works for an organization that is involved in citizen science.

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Software Engineer

Software Engineers are responsible for designing and developing software applications. The Transformative Citizen Science for Sustainability course may be useful to a Software Engineer who works on software applications for citizen science projects.

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Web Developer

Web Developers are responsible for designing and developing websites. The Transformative Citizen Science for Sustainability course may be useful to a Web Developer who works on websites for citizen science projects.

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Transformative Citizen Science for Sustainability

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