Paper long abstract:

Given the failures of global institutions to overcome collective problems, such as climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental pollution, citizen science (CS) has recently emerged as among alternative models of multi-scalar governance that might be drawn upon to tackle new and emerging global crises, particularly monitoring the achievement of the climate related sustainable development goals (SDGs). The recent literature has shown that CS is evolving from a field dominated by isolated, small-scale monitoring projects (i.e., local groups focusing on local issues) to one in which citizen-generated data are more integrated into local governance process and make a significant contribution to monitoring progress towards overcoming global challenges, particularly in the north. However, there is limited knowledge on how CS can be applied in low income countries. Taking a critical political economy perspective, the objective of the proposed paper is to identify opportunities and challenges for adoption and application of CS model as an alternative community-based monitoring device in the developing world. Drawing on data from Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR)/Voluntary Local Review of SDGs localization and implementation in Kibaha Town Council, eastern Tanzania, the paper argues that CS holds the potential for addressing local governance deficits by addressing such issues as marginalisation and the lack of power in communities affected by the increasingly uncertain natural world. The findings have implications for policy, practice and further research.