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Short Abstract

Freshwater ecologists in a citizen science project on Lake Geneva navigate tensions between positivist science and citizen participation. Interviews show how friction around control, rigor and values can inspire change in how scientists view collaboration and inclusive knowledge production.

Abstract

*Introduction*

Citizen science is widely promoted as a means to democratize knowledge production and foster inclusive research practices. However, its participatory ideals often conflict with established scientific norms and expectations. This study explores how freshwater ecologists perceive science and citizen science at the outset of their involvement in CoFish, a collaborative project focused on fish in Lake Geneva. By examining the tensions and transformations that emerge, the study considers how friction between traditional and participatory models can act as a catalyst for epistemic change.

*Theoretical and Methodological Approach*

The study draws on person-centered, semi-structured interviews with freshwater ecologists from diverse institutional backgrounds. It uses a framework inspired by Guba and Lincoln (2005), which distinguishes research paradigms along four dimensions: epistemology, methodology, values, and control. This framework was used to analyze how scientists conceptualize citizen science and their roles within it.

*Findings*

Most participants initially expressed positivist views of science, emphasizing objectivity, control, and hypothesis testing. As they engaged with the idea of citizen science, many became more open to participatory and constructivist perspectives. Friction emerged where participatory aspirations met concerns about data quality, scientific rigor, and loss of control. While some scientists embraced co-creation and stakeholder dialogue, others struggled with the epistemological and practical demands of participatory research.

*Implications*

The study highlights the need to support scientists in navigating the shift from traditional to participatory models. Reflective practice, training in participatory methods, and openness to alternative epistemologies are essential for reconfiguring power dynamics and fostering meaningful collaboration in citizen science.