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Is Citizen Science a Remedy for Inequality?

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  • Bruce V. Lewenstein

Abstract

Is public engagement with science an effective response to threats against science? One form of public engagement—citizen science—might be especially useful for addressing issues of inequality that threaten public support for science. Citizen science is both public participation in the scientific process and public participation in the governance of science. In principle, citizen science empowers marginalized communities to participate in the scientific process, using the authority of science to challenge government, industry, or other institutions that exploit imbalances of social power. In practice, however, citizen science can also be used to redirect attention away from actions that address inequalities and to reinforce modes of knowledge production that exclude alternative ways of knowing relevant to those without social power. Thus, rhetoric about citizen science as a solution to threats against science needs to be tempered with attention to specific contexts and opportunities.

Suggested Citation

  • Bruce V. Lewenstein, 2022. "Is Citizen Science a Remedy for Inequality?," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 700(1), pages 183-194, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:anname:v:700:y:2022:i:1:p:183-194
    DOI: 10.1177/00027162221092697
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. E. Yvonne Lewis & Richard C. Sadler, 2021. "Community–academic partnerships helped Flint through its water crisis," Nature, Nature, vol. 594(7863), pages 326-329, June.
    2. Gonzalez, P.A. & Minkler, M. & Garcia, A.P. & Gordon, M. & Garzón, C. & Palaniappan, M. & Prakash, S. & Beveridge, B., 2011. "Community-based participatory research and policy advocacy to reduce diesel exposure in West Oakland, California," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 101(SUPPL. 1), pages 166-175.
    3. Peter Weingart & Marina Joubert & Karien Connoway, 2021. "Public engagement with science—Origins, motives and impact in academic literature and science policy," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(7), pages 1-30, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Robin Bayes & James N. Druckman & Alauna C. Safarpour, 2022. "Studying Science Inequities: How to Use Surveys to Study Diverse Populations," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 700(1), pages 220-233, March.

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