Dr Erinma Ochu, Engagement Fellow Life Sciences, University of Manchester Citizen Science: Approaches, Opportunities & Insights for biomedical research
Jan 26, 2015
Dr Erinma Ochu, Engagement FellowLife Sciences, University of Manchester
Citizen Science:Approaches, Opportunities & Insights for biomedical research
Definitions/ Approaches
Citizen Science
Usually unpaid individuals & interest groups contributing to scientific experiments
• Crowdsourced science– Complex problem, wisdom & power of crowd to create,
analyse, collect datasets – mainly research benefits• Co-design (or extreme citizen science)
– Public participate in setting research question(s), methods and/ or analysis to address social need
• DIYBIO – network of hobbyists & biohackers DIY, hack, open source ethos to labs, equipment, methods
• Variations – Citizen Science with co-design & crowdsourcing elements
1. Research Questions
2. Methods
3. Data analysis
4. Dissemination
Influencing research
Early Citizen Science
Agnes PocklesCharles Darwin
@citizenbrains www.thegreatbrainexperiment.com
Crowdsourcing Neuroscience
@eye_wire http://eyewire.org
See end slide for resources links
1. New Research Questions
2. Novel Methods
3. Creating datasets
4. New cultural experiences
Public Engagement
HOOKED!Albinomosquito: www.albinomosquito.com/
Publications & Resources• Guide to Citizen Science:
http://www.ukeof.org.uk/documents/guide-to-citizen-science.pdf
• Centre for Social Justice, Durham Ethical Guidance: http://www.dur.ac.uk/beacon/socialjustice/ethics_consultation/
• Making is Connecting: the social meaning of connectivity, from DIY and knitting to YouTube and Web 2.0. Polity Press 2011
http://www.makingisconnecting.org
• Beyond research in the wild: citizen-led research as a model for innovation in the digital economy: http://www.de2012.org/sites/default/files/digitalfutures2012papers/Papers/Session1BTalesofEngagement/Whittle_etal_BeyondRitW.pdf
• Regional development in health and social services in the UK: ‘edge effects’ and sustainable change in welfare organisations (1995)