Inclusive Terminology: A Discussion on "Citizen Science"
EcoSpark strives to be a community leader in local engagement, education, citizen science and collaboration. Ongoing conversation has been present within the community that practices Citizen Science dating back to 2007, suggesting that the term Citizen Science is not reflective of the inclusive goals within the community as not everyone sees themselves as a citizen [1]. EcoSpark seeks to ensure that our terminology reflects our goal to engage in inclusive practices.
Citizen Science - Oxford Languages definition
Noun
the collection and analysis of data relating to the natural world by members of the general public, typically as part of a collaborative project with professional scientists.
"the director of education sees a need for citizen science in astronomy"
Historically, EcoSpark (formerly Citizens’ Environment Watch) and many other groups have used the word “citizen” with the intent of empowering and inspiring civic possibilities and responsibilities toward a global common good. Citizen science is a term that has been used for over three decades [2]. Even still, conversations within the community have highlighted that harm has been caused by the exclusionary nature of the term “citizen” [1]. Recent geopolitical discourse has involved the use of “citizen” to divide rather than unite [3]. EcoSpark seeks to foster an inclusive environment for all participants, and many individuals throughout EcoSpark’s organization and networks are youth or adults who are not Canadian citizens.
There is a clear shift in the field toward the terms “community science” and “Participatory Sciences” as more inclusive terms than “citizen science” by many larger international projects, as well as some of EcoSpark’s local organizations and partners.
The term “community science” encompasses approaches to research and monitoring that occur beyond the traditional institutional scientific framework.
In recent years, practitioners, conferences, GTA school boards, environmental justice leaders, and professional researchers increasingly use “community science” in written and verbal forms. This term does not come without additional controversy, as there is concern as to the implications of contexts where the term “community science” is used within projects that don’t reflect the priorities of the community [1].
While students and participants may not always identify themselves as scientists, their active engagement in scientific monitoring, such as participating in biodiversity surveys and water quality assessments through EcoSpark programs, makes them integral contributors to ecological health monitoring within their community. We are committed to addressing the lack of diversity in STEM fields and aspire to foster opportunities for youth to envision themselves as the future of STEM. Sparking Science provides one such opportunity.
EcoSpark staff and partners have had several focused discussions about these terms, seeking to make a decision that does not alienate participants and potential participants in our work with schools and communities in need.
Currently, approximately 60% of EcoSpark's sessions are delivered to schools identified as facing barriers to outdoor education opportunities, made possible with help from our supporters.
In order to pursue our mission of empowering communities to take an active role in protecting and sustaining their local environments, we are committed to making choices that resonate with the current social context, fostering a sense of inclusivity and making our participants feel welcome. As an organization, we have carefully considered the perceptions of students, teachers, and community partners when we make choices around 'community science' and 'citizen science.' In light of these considerations, we've charted a path forward that reflects our commitment to meaningful engagement and inclusivity. Ultimately, EcoSpark staff believe that our organization’s core values and intentions can be best conveyed through our actions within communities, regardless of the specific terminology we choose to employ.
We will continue using the term 'Citizen Science' on our platforms, making it clear that when we say 'citizen,' we refer to 'citizens of the planet.' This adjustment underscores our dedication to welcoming all voices and backgrounds, and corresponds with themes that resonate through core areas of EcoSpark, as environmental sustainability can only be achieved through collaboration.
We will move to using the term 'Community Science' when crafting tailored program content in collaboration with communities in the Greater Toronto Area. This will be particularly beneficial for school communities facing barriers to environmental education, fostering a sense of belonging and shared responsibility.
We view this open letter as the beginning of an ongoing conversation with our EcoSpark community members. We eagerly look forward to more discussion, ideas and insights, as they are vital to shaping the future of our initiatives. If you'd like to share your thoughts or ideas, please email info@ecospark.ca or stop by the office to say hi!
[1] Shirk, J. (2022, May 5). Coming to terms. Citizen Science Association. https://citizenscience.org/2022/05/05/coming-to-terms/
[2] Haklay, M., Dörler, D., Heigl, F., Manzoni, M., Hecker, S., & Vohland, K. (2021). What is citizen science? The challenges of definition. In The Science of Citizen Science (pp. 13–33). Springer International Publishing. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-58278-4_2
[3] Putnam, R. (2023, July 14). Announcing a new name for this Association. Citizen Science Association. https://citizenscience.org/2023/07/14/announcing-a-new-name-for-this-association/
Written by Emily Moffat, Seasonal Program Delivery Assistant, EcoSpark
November, 2023
