Marine Citizen Science (networks, platforms, initiatives, citizen-generated data)
ATLANTIS CONSULTING (ATL)
Reference Teacher: Lydia Stergiopoulou
Teacher(s): Lydia Stergiopoulou
This online course aims to address the domain of marine citizen science (MCS) and the diverse initiatives across that field.
The first module gives a general overview on MCS, including topics such as: introduction to marine citizen science, the people contributing to scientific research, MCS platforms and networks, data infrastructures, citizen observatories, citizen generated data.
The second module gives an overview on the uses of CS in the European research, its relationship with SDGs and the EU policy.
The third module links the MCS with UW archaeology based on cases of participatory data collection and the uses of digital tools by citizens.
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D2. Showcasing of MCS platforms and networks, data infrastructures and citizen observatories.
D3. Learning from examples of citizens generated data from the marine and coastal environment.
D4. Showcasing of approaches related to MCS uses in archaeology.
The course supports lifelong learning education. Prerequisites include basic knowledge on marine environment and biodiversity, as well as the basic concepts of UWCH (coastal, marine). Basic understanding of economic terms (e.g. Total Economic Value, economic evaluations) is a plus.
online e-learning course. It will be pilot-tested during a training workshop in Thessaloniki (synergy between uBlueTec and BCThubs).
Small tests will be created for each of the two modules to assess the level of knowledge and skills developed.
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This course contributes to SDG11 (11.4 Protection of natural & cultural heritage), SDG 13 (Climate action), SDG 14 (Life below water) and SGD 17 (Partnerships for the goals).
If you are interested in following one, or more, of these modules, please reach out to Lydia Stergiopoulou (stergiopoulou@atlantisresearch.gr) or Vicky Drouga (drouga@atlantisresearch.gr).
Course Modules:
Module-1: Citizen science is any activity that involves the public in scientific research and thus has the potential to bring together science, policy makers, and society as a whole in an impactful way. Through citizen science, all people can participate in many stages of the scientific process, from the design of the research question to data collection and volunteer mapping, data interpretation and analysis, and to publication and dissemination of results. Citizen science is also an approach of scientific work that may be used as a part of a broader scientific activity.
The last years marine citizen science networks, observatories and initiatives have been set up supporting the monitoring, collection and management of marine and coastal data. Following training and education citizens (including youth and kids) collect information on marine species occurrence, coastal and UW data, photographs, videos, recordings, images via personal devices (smartphones, tablets, IT sensors) to enrich data infrastructures.
Module-2: The module will elaborate on the CS uses in EU research analyzing its importance for risks and conflict mitigation with focus on climate change action. Its necessity in marine, water and climate change research through the platforms of citizen generated data.
UNESCO marine citizen science expeditions and the European Citizen Science Association (ESCA) are among the few initiatives in Europe, while there is still a lot of work to be done on monitoring and citizen-generated data from coastal and UW archaeological sites.
Some examples from recent projects are: CITiZAN project, CoastSnap on community beach monitoring, and CoCliCo coastal climate services.
Module-3: That module will focus on the few cases that link MSC with UW archaeology, the importance of participatory data collection and the uses of digital tools from students, citizens, and young archaeologists towards the direction of continuous monitoring of coastal or marine UCH sites.
- CITiZAN, the Coastal and Intertidal Zone Archaeological Network. https://www.citizan.org.uk/. Last accessed 29/07/2024.
- CoastSnap, a global citizen science project to capture changing coastlines. https://www.coastsnap.com/. Last accessed 01/07/2024.
- CoCliCo, open-source web platform informing users on present-day and future coastal risks. https://coclicoservices.eu/. Last accessed 01/07/2024.
- Garcia-Soto, C., Seys, J. J., Zielinski, O., Busch, J. A., Luna, S. I., Baez, J. C., … & Gorsky, G. (2021). Marine citizen science: Current state in Europe and new technological developments. Frontiers in Marine Science, 8, 621472.
- Sandahl, A., & Tøttrup, A. P. (2020). Marine citizen science: recent developments and future recommendations.
- EU Citizen Science Association. https://eu-citizen.science/. Last accessed 20/08/2024.
- UNESCO E-DNA Expeditions. https://www.unesco.org/en/edna-expeditions/. Last accessed 20/08/2024.
- Andrade, M. (2023). Citizen science for underwater cultural heritage: A review of current practices and future directions. Journal of Maritime Archaeology, 18(1), 1-16.
- Frazão Santos, C., Pitcher, R., & Neves, P. (2019). Marine citizen science: Towards responsible and sustainable ocean literacy. Marine Policy, 104, 249-257.
- Garcia-Hermosa, M. I., et al. (2022). Assessing the potential of citizen science for monitoring underwater cultural heritage sites in the Mediterranean Sea. Marine Policy, 136, 104909.
- Henderson, J. (2020). Underwater Cultural Heritage at Risk: Managing Natural and Human Impacts. Springer.
- Kersting, D. K. (2018). Citizen science opportunities in marine archaeology. Advances in Archaeological Practice, 6(2), 185-196.
- Koutsouflakis, G., et al. (2020). Citizen science and underwater cultural heritage: The case of the “SeaWatchers” project in Greece. Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development, 10(2), 183-196.
- Micallef, A., & Vella, N. (2019). The potential of citizen science in the management of underwater cultural heritage: A case study from Malta. International Journal of Nautical Archaeology, 48(2), 434-448.
- Montalto, V., Frost, C., & Pecoraro, E. (2021). Green practices in underwater cultural heritage management: A case study from Italy. Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development, 11(3), 307-320.
- Ransome, C., et al. (2021). Green technologies for the protection and management of underwater cultural heritage: A review. Journal of Cultural Heritage, 50, 131-141.
- Sayer, C. (2020). The role of citizen science in monitoring and protecting underwater cultural heritage. International Journal of Nautical Archaeology, 49(2), 364-376.
- UNESCO. (2016). Sustainable management of underwater cultural heritage: Guidelines and recommendations. UNESCO Publishing.