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How Networks of Citizen Observatories Can Increase the Quality and Quantity of Citizen-Science-Generated Data Used to Monitor SDG Indicators

Author

Listed:
  • Sasha Marie Woods

    (Earthwatch Europe, Oxford OX2 7DE, UK)

  • Maria Daskolia

    (Environmental Education Lab, Department of Educational Studies, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, University Campus, 15784 Athens, Greece)

  • Alexis Joly

    (INRIA, Université de Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France)

  • Pierre Bonnet

    (Botany and Modeling of Plant Architecture and Vegetation (AMAP), French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD), French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), French National Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE), Research Institute for Development (IRD), University of Montpellier, 34398 Montpellier, France)

  • Karen Soacha

    (EMBIMOS Group, Institute of Marine Sciences-Spanish Research Council (ICM-CSIC), 08003 Barcelona, Spain
    Information and Knowledge, Doctoral School, Open University of Catalonia (UOC), 08035 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Sonia Liñan

    (EMBIMOS Group, Institute of Marine Sciences-Spanish Research Council (ICM-CSIC), 08003 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Tim Woods

    (European Citizen Science Association (ECSA), Invalidenstraße 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany)

  • Jaume Piera

    (EMBIMOS Group, Institute of Marine Sciences-Spanish Research Council (ICM-CSIC), 08003 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Luigi Ceccaroni

    (Earthwatch Europe, Oxford OX2 7DE, UK)

Abstract

There is a growing acknowledgement that citizen observatories, and other forms of citizen-generated data, have a significant role in tracking progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. This is evident in the increasing number of Sustainable Development Goals’ indicators for which such data are already being used and in the high-level recognition of the potential role that citizen science can play. In this article, we argue that networks of citizen observatories will help realise this potential. Drawing on the Cos4Cloud project as an example, we highlight how such networks can make citizen-generated data more interoperable and accessible (among other qualities), increasing their impact and usefulness. Furthermore, we highlight other, perhaps overlooked, advantages of citizen observatories and citizen-generated data: educating and informing citizen scientists about the Sustainable Development Goals and co-creating solutions to the global challenges they address.

Suggested Citation

  • Sasha Marie Woods & Maria Daskolia & Alexis Joly & Pierre Bonnet & Karen Soacha & Sonia Liñan & Tim Woods & Jaume Piera & Luigi Ceccaroni, 2022. "How Networks of Citizen Observatories Can Increase the Quality and Quantity of Citizen-Science-Generated Data Used to Monitor SDG Indicators," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-17, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:7:p:4078-:d:782836
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Katharina Schleicher & Constanze Schmidt, 2020. "Citizen Science in Germany as Research and Sustainability Education: Analysis of the Main Forms and Foci and Its Relation to the Sustainable Development Goals," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-12, July.
    2. Loreta Tauginienė & Eglė Butkevičienė & Katrin Vohland & Barbara Heinisch & Maria Daskolia & Monika Suškevičs & Manuel Portela & Bálint Balázs & Baiba Prūse, 2020. "Citizen science in the social sciences and humanities: the power of interdisciplinarity," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 6(1), pages 1-11, December.
    3. Nicola Moczek & Silke L. Voigt-Heucke & Kim G. Mortega & Claudia Fabó Cartas & Jörn Knobloch, 2021. "A Self-Assessment of European Citizen Science Projects on Their Contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-18, February.
    4. Raquel Ajates, 2021. "Reducing the Risk of Co-Optation in Alternative Food Networks: Multi-Stakeholder Cooperatives, Social Capital, and Third Spaces of Cooperation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-20, October.
    5. James Sprinks & Sasha Marie Woods & Stephen Parkinson & Uta Wehn & Hannah Joyce & Luigi Ceccaroni & Mohammad Gharesifard, 2021. "Coordinator Perceptions When Assessing the Impact of Citizen Science towards Sustainable Development Goals," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-15, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ainhoa González & Shane Mc Guinness & Enda Murphy & Grainne Kelliher & Lyn Hagin-Meade, 2023. "Priorities, Scale and Insights: Opportunities and Challenges for Community Involvement in SDG Implementation and Monitoring," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-15, March.

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