EMODnet dialogue: Citizen Science
Friday 18 June 11:00-12:30 CEST
This is a Special Cross-thematic Session at the 2nd EMODnet Jamboree Joint Session on Citizen Science
Key Messages & Recommendations
The Special Cross-thematic Session on Citizen Science brought together EMODnet representatives, scientists, NGOs and blue economy SMEs from across Europe to reflect on how EMODnet is cooperating with citizen science initiatives to increasingly expand and diversify its collaborations with data providers and users. Contributions from participants also shed light into how EMODnet could evolve its work towards more systematically linking with citizen science efforts, not only to expand the data provision from citizen science, but also to encourage citizen science projects to work closer with EMODnet across the full marine knowledge value chain. The session kicked off with an inspiring message from DG MARE on the timeliness of this dialogue, highlighting the role of citizen science not only in building public awareness towards delivering the ambitious economic, environmental and social agenda targeted by the EU Green Deal, but also in empowering citizens to play an active role in its delivery. Achieving the objectives of the EU Green Deal will require more data to fill-in current spatial and temporal knowledge gaps, moving towards data coverage “everywhere, all the time”. It was agreed that citizen science can contribute towards that end. Mission Starfish is targeting 20% of marine data required to “restore our Ocean and waters by 2030” to come from citizen science by 2025.
Participants concurred that citizen science initiatives have multiplied in Europe in the past decade, providing a wealth of diverse examples confirming its value across different environmental topics, from monitoring water quality, to delivering early warning of alga blooms, detecting and tracking macro and micro plastic, identifying marine species present in urban beaches or gathering long term oceanographic data to support research on climate change. Through the engagement of citizens, maritime businesses, recreational divers or tourists, the examples provided confirmed that these initiatives are proving valuable not only to feed new data into EMODnet, but also to advance Ocean literacy and build valuable, long-term partnerships across Europe. In spite of this progress, some important challenges remain to seize the full potential of citizen science, calling for a more systematic and consolidated approach towards working with citizen science initiatives, organizing and managing data flows from such initiatives and breaking down barriers between “traditional” scientists and citizen scientists.
During the dialogue, participants agreed that EMODnet -as an EU open and free marine data portal- can evolve to play a valuable coordinating role for citizen marine data observations and integration. The following recommendations were put forward towards this end:
- EMODnet could develop as a focal point for EU marine citizen data, providing dedicated support to both providers and users of citizen science data.
- EMODnet could develop a Data Ingestion target action to start incorporating and connecting citizen science projects to improve data resolution in time and space in relevant areas (e.g. coastal zones where citizen scientists are most active).
- EMODnet could play a key role in facilitating citizen data collection by providing guidance on data standards; supporting improved coordination, i.e., through a dedicated citizen data portal and/or promoting technical measures; actively engaging multi-players such as private companies, local communities, NGOs, citizen science projects, etc.; and making the flow of data from citizen to EMODnet repositories easier to tackle.
- EMODnet could also contribute to wider user uptake of citizen science data by making data interoperable; providing users with easy-to-use data modelling tools (e.g., time series forecasting, pattern analysis or machine learning); performing fit-for-purpose assessment of available marine citizen science data; designing "citizen data solutions” to ensure data quality and usefulness or identifying gaps in relevant knowledge areas.
- EMODnet could contribute to upscale citizen science across Europe by building up long-term partnerships with well-established citizen science communities; working closely with these communities to identify user needs and to provide feedback to citizens on the use, added-value and impact of their efforts; and contributing to bridge citizen science and research communities, supporting data harmonization for user-oriented applications.
Presentations:
Citizen Science: Setting the scene
Citizen Science: Key messages & Recommendations
The full Agenda is attached below, and can be downloaded here: Citizen Science Final Agenda
Agenda
1. Welcome (5’)
Introduction of the session co-chairs: Antonio Novellino (ETT, EMODnet Physics), Jaume Piera (CSIC, Cos4Cloud), Jun She (DMI, EMODnet Baltic Sea-basin Checkpoint Coordinator), Patrick Gorringe (SMHI, EMODnet Physics).
2. EC DG MARE Intervention on EMODnet Next Phase (3’)
Bernhard Friess (DG MARE) introduces the vision for EMODnet.
3. Setting the Scene (7’)
Patrick Gorringe (SMHI, EMODnet Physics) highlights the future potential of EMODnet as a platform for Citizen Science, the challenges and the returns for citizens.
4. Case Studies of Citizen Science for EMODnet (30’)
Six case studies from citizen science communities across the value chain.
● Exploring uptake of coastal citizen science data into the coastal research domain – Peter Thijsse (JERICO-RI)
● Macro and micro plastic detection with citizen science platform – Bert van Bavel (The Nautilos Project)
● Biodiversity bioblitzes on Urban Beaches – Bernat Perlata (Urbamar, Anel·lides)
● Paddling to monitor or monitoring to paddle? A case study on how marine environmental data can be supported by water-sports and enhance local blue economy – Arianna Liconti (Outdoor Portofino)
● T-MEDNet multi-actor climate change coastal observation network – Nathaniel Bensoussan (T-MEDnet)
● Citizen Science at Earthwatch: A sociotechnical system approach - James Sprinks (EarthWatch)
10’ Break
5. Panel Discussion (30’):
Panel and plenary discussions on three topics covering the technical challenges for citizen science data and upgrading knowledge of citizen science within the EMODnet platform. Co-chairs: Antonio Novellino (ETT, EMODnet Physics) & Patrick Gorringe (SMHI, EMODnet Physics)
Panelists: Maria Eugenia Molina Jack (INOGS, EMODnet Chemistry), Bert van Bavel (The Nautilos Project), Jaume Piera (CSIC, Cos4Cloud), Jun She (DMI, EMODnet Baltic Sea-basin Checkpoint Coordinator), James Sprinks (Earthwatch), Arianna Liconti (OutdoorPortofino), Peter Thijsse (EMODnet Ingestion)
● Citizen science data stewardship
● Building long-term engagement between EMODnet and citizen science
● Identifying needs and requirements of citizen science projects and returns to citizens
6. Closing Remarks (5’)
Jun She (DMI, EMODnet Baltic Sea-basin Checkpoint Coordinator) outlines recommendations and future perspectives of EMODnet as a platform for Citizen Science.