A Place in the World – Science, Society, and Reframing the Questions We Ask

The interplay between science and broader society is central to modern life. Citizen science is a natural upshot of this reality. From mariner input into early wind charts that revolutionized trans-oceanic travel, to the... [ view full abstract ]

The interplay between science and broader society is central to modern life. Citizen science is a natural upshot of this reality. From mariner input into early wind charts that revolutionized trans-oceanic travel, to the Christmas Bird Count or crowd-sourcing of sight records for imperiled species, relationships between societal needs and public participation in the scientific process have not only improved understanding of the world around us, but have also expanded the impact of science on our lives. The history of citizen science suggests we can do more. In a variety of contexts, broadening the process of how scientific questions are framed, and expanding who is involved in the framing, is transforming how we do science. Through a series of brief vignettes, this presentation will explore the potential impacts on society of broader public participation in the full life cycle of scientific inquiry – from framing questions and guiding data collection, to analyzing and communicating new knowledge. It is my hope to inspire active dialogue during the conference and beyond on the evolving role of citizen science in society.