Citizen Science in the policy arena www.discoverycircle.org.au Dr Philip Roetman, University of South Australia www.discoverycircle.org.au

What is Citizen Science? Professional researchers engage the public to collect or analyse data within a cooperative framework of research and education

What is Citizen Science? Professional researchers engage the public to collect or analyse data within a cooperative framework of research and education

Projects run exclusively by scientists Number of participants Training or skills Scale (spatial/temporal) Complexity Projects run in partnership with Citizen Scientists

LARGE-SCALE PROJECTS Projects run exclusively by scientists Number of participants Training or skills Scale (spatial/temporal) Complexity LARGE-SCALE PROJECTS Projects run in partnership with Citizen Scientists

FOCUSSED PROJECTS LARGE-SCALE PROJECTS Projects run exclusively by scientists Number of participants Training or skills Scale (spatial/temporal) Complexity FOCUSSED PROJECTS LARGE-SCALE PROJECTS Projects run in partnership with Citizen Scientists

NO GO FOCUSSED PROJECTS LARGE-SCALE PROJECTS Projects run exclusively by scientists Number of participants Training or skills Scale (spatial/temporal) Complexity NO GO FOCUSSED PROJECTS LARGE-SCALE PROJECTS Projects run in partnership with Citizen Scientists

What is Citizen Science?

What is Citizen Science?

Styles of Citizen Science (84 Australian projects) Citizen science in Australia: Styles of Citizen Science (84 Australian projects) Source: 2014 ACSA survey results

Outcomes of citizen science (92 Australian projects) Citizen science in Australia: Outcomes of citizen science (92 Australian projects) Source: 2014 ACSA survey results

Pathways from citizen science into policy

Impacts on policy: environmental data CASE STUDY: Reef Life Survey Zoning assessment and development of plans for marine parks Baseline and ongoing monitoring programs Major dataset towards national State of the Marine Environment reporting CASE STUDY: Marine Debris Surveys Data on types of marine debris informed change in commercial fishing industry Informed legislation to reduce specific sources of marine debris CASE STUDY: Powerful Owl Project Changed land management practices (e.g. fire management) CASE STUDY: Waterwatch NSW Contributed to development of state-gazetted water sharing plans These examples are largely BOTTOM-UP

Influencing policy makers (bottom-up) IF a project has a policy outcome goal, strategies need to be better targeted to enable influence over policy Deliberate Design: fit-for-purpose projects Some projects benefit from critical mass Appropriate partnerships Quality control and assurance

Data for policy: environmental + social Environmental data ~500 people/1500 koalas Social data (583 respondents) Species distribution model “Fit for purpose” for policy writing (TOP-DOWN design) Engaged and knowledgeable participants and onlookers

Deliberate design for policy development

Deliberate design for policy development Sharing knowledge, bottom-up support Bottom-up support, access to community knowledge (environmental, social, and policy options) Sharing knowledge (social and environmental)

Partnering with policy makers (top-down) Walters et al. (2000) framework for public involvement: ‘Discovery’ to define issues and alternatives ‘Education’ about issues and alternatives ‘Measurement’ of public opinion ‘Persuasion’ towards a desired alternative ‘Legitimization’ of the decisions CASE STUDIES Reef Life Survey Contributes to step 1 Great Koala Count Designed for step 3, Also had some impact on participants (steps 2, 4 and 5)

Additional observations

What was the Impact?

Cat Tracker: evaluation survey Learning: 71% reported learning For respondents whose cats were tracked: 46% - cats went further than expected 71% - something surprising or interesting 31% location 24% distance 16% roads or railways

Cat Tracker: evaluation survey Attitude change:   n Pre- survey Post- Survey % change Importance of day-time containment Tracking participants 114 8.8% 44.7% +410.0% Importance of night-time containment 117 65.0% 82.1% +26.3%

Cat Tracker: evaluation survey Behaviour change: Tracked cats: 27% Non-tracked cats: 12% 69% - cat indoors more 36% would manage a new cat differently

Impact of the Great Koala Count (Hollow et al. 2014)   learnt new things changed opinions Participants (n = 454) 65% 19% Onlookers (n = 82) 63% 38%

Reach of the Great Koala Count   learnt new things changed opinions reach Participants (n = 454) 65% 19% 472 Onlookers (n = 82) 63% 38% 26,000+

Changing attitudes and behaviours…

Project assessment template Developed to assist SA Environment Department assess citizen science opportunities in evaluation of Marine Parks STEP 1: NEEDS ANALYSIS Identify institutional requirements for: Research Education Community Engagement Each could be policy related STEP 2: ALIGNMENT WITH AGENCY NEEDS STEP 3: PROJECT ANALYSIS (see image) AVAILABLE AT: https://www.discoverycircle.org.au/resources/

Influencing the policy cycle Deliberate design for policy development Be clear in outcomes – what impact, what type of policy? How can environmental and/or social data assist? Top-down or bottom-up (impact on/of the community)