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Short Abstract

Drawing on examples from IMPETUS and ECS to explore the practical aspects of social impact assessment within projects, taking a logic model approach to present potential impacts of citizen science on social inclusion and showcasing key enablers and barriers to implementing inclusive CS.

Abstract

Citizen science (CS) has been associated with democratic values, potential benefits for individuals, and transformative change at societal level. Experts stress its contributions to individual and community empowerment, improvement of social conditions, and positive changes in policy agendas. While CS has significant potential to contribute to stronger social inclusion and sustainability, there is only sporadic evidence about such impacts on “underrepresented” or "marginalised “groups.

This paper explores the practical aspects of social impact assessment within projects, taking a logic model approach to present potential impacts of citizen science on social inclusion and showcasing key enablers and barriers to implementing inclusive CS. Throughout this paper we draw on examples from both the IMPETUS and European Citizen Science (ECS) projects. IMPETUS supports new and existing citizen science initiatives to address relevant social challenges, including issues around inclusion and diversity in CS. ECS widens and strengthens the citizen science community in Europe through capacity building and awareness raising with a particular focus on employing inclusive approaches.

There is limited evidence on the practical pathways to social inclusion. What are potential drivers, what motivates project initiators to address diverse publics, and which initiators prioritise inclusive practices? In what way do funding and the specifics of research funding calls influence who is included and who is excluded? What approaches are used by practitioners to increase inclusion in citizen science? We present different pathways to social inclusion, analysing the underlying processes and promising approaches via comparative case studies across the ECS and IMPETUS projects.