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Short Abstract

This presentation examines how rethinking information practices, metadata, classification, and repositories can advance equity in citizen science, ensuring marginalized knowledge is recognized, valued, and integrated into shared knowledge systems.

Abstract

This presentation, Equity in Data through Rethinking Information Practices for Inclusive Citizen Science, explores how the design and management of information systems can either reinforce or dismantle inequities in citizen science. Citizen science projects often rely on diverse communities to generate data, yet marginalized groups remain underrepresented in how that data is curated, described, and shared. The presentation argues that equity in citizen science cannot be achieved solely by widening participation; it must also involve rethinking the information practices that underpin knowledge production.

Drawing from perspectives in information science, knowledge equity, and participatory research, the session highlights how metadata, classification systems, and data repositories shape whose knowledge is visible and valued. Examples are used to illustrate how conventional information practices may inadvertently marginalize local or indigenous knowledge, while alternative, community-centered approaches can foster inclusivity.

The presentation calls for an “equity audit” of citizen science information infrastructures, asking critical questions, Who defines the metadata standards? Whose knowledge counts as valid data? How can repositories be restructured to reflect cultural and contextual diversity? By centering these questions, the session advocates for citizen science that not only collects data but also democratizes its management and use.

Ultimately, the talk positions information professionals, librarians, and knowledge managers as key actors in building equitable frameworks for citizen science. It emphasizes that rethinking information practices is not a technical adjustment but a socio-ethical imperative, crucial for ensuring that citizen science lives up to its promise of inclusivity and shared knowledge production.