CITIZEN SCIENCE: An overview of the citizen science movement in Australia and globally

Citizen science is increasingly being adopted by organisations as a vehicle for raising public awareness, activism and financial support for research that has direct societal impact. Technological advances have reduced the barriers to participation for non-scientists and is facilitating and accelerating data collection at scale, at a fraction of the cost and time taken for previous methods of data collection. This session provides an overview of the citizen science movement in Australia and globally and the role of the Australian Citizen Science Association in facilitating citizen science initiatives and networks nationally. It also explores the under utilisation of citizen science as a means for connecting and educating audiences in our schools and universities.

PRESENTERS:
Dr. Patrick Bonney (RMIT University and Chair, ACSA-VIC) is social scientist with an interest in the potential for citizen science to promote meaningful connections between communities and governments for sustainable waterway management. He is passionate about improving the use of community data in decision-making while ensuring the diverse and distinct benefits of citizen science for volunteers. Currently, he is working with the longstanding Waterwatch and EstuaryWatch programs to help develop their future strategies. Pat currently serves as the chair of the Victorian Chapter of the Australian Citizen Science Association.

Kade Mills (Victorian National Parks Association, ACSA-VIC) is a marine scientist who has been designing, running and reporting on marine citizen science programs for the last seven years at Victorian National Parks Association. He plays well with others and collaborates with over 30 community groups, dive stores and dive clubs throughout the state to run large scale marine citizen science projects over long time scales.

Lynne Lucas' (NDE Consultant, ACSA-VIC GAICD) career spans whole of organisation leadership, specialising in stakeholder engagement within the higher education setting. She has formerly held the positions of Director of External Relations at Deakin University and Head of Alumni and Stakeholder Engagement (STEM) at the University of Melbourne. It was in the latter role that Lynne became passionate about citizen science as a vehicle for strategically engaging stakeholders at the nexus of their and the university's interest. Lynne joined ACSA Vic in 2021 and has consulted to the NFP sector in respect of strategically aligning citizen science activities with the core objectives of the organisation. Lynne is currently working in research translation and impact at the University of Melbourne.

Arjmund Khan (STEM Catalyst, ACSA-VIC) is an Environmental academic and Science Communicator. She is the Founder and Director of STEM Catalyst, an award-winning educational service promoting STEM in schools and communities across all ages. She takes lead in sharing knowledge and passion for nature and science through a wide array of STEM-based, citizen science activities. She offers support to teachers and other education staff in their professional learning and development to incorporate STEM in everyday learning. She is a role model in her community. She is highly motivational and a strong advocate for promoting STEM education.

Associate Professor Ann Borda (University of Melbourne, ACSA-VIC) is Associate Professor in the Centre for Health Policy, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, and an Honorary Senior Research Associate at University College London. Ann has held senior positions in government-funded advanced computing and data-intensive research initiatives in the UK and Australia. Ann is a dynamic and transdisciplinary academic certified in health informatics and sustainable practices with keen interests in citizen science and open knowledge systems. She has contributed to evidence-informed policy, such as the co-development of a national framework for climate change, health and well-being in Australia. She is currently an Associate Editor of Frontiers Digital Public Health and visiting editor of the Citizen Science: Theory and Practice Journal.

Dr Elodie Camprasse (Deakin University, ACSA-VIC) is a marine ecologist with a passion for scuba diving, underwater photography and science communication. She has a PhD from Deakin University, where she studied seabird ecology. Elodie has a wide range of interests including human-wildlife interactions, citizen science, nature connection and marine ecology. Elodie now leads the implementation of the citizen science program Spider Crab Watch, and provides support to implement traditional research, to gather data on the mysterious great spider crabs and their aggregations. She is passionate about increasing the public’s awareness of the amazing biodiversity of the Great Southern Reef and filling gaps in knowledge that surrounds many of its inhabitants.

BOOK NOW (in person attendance): Citizen Science seminar Tickets, Wed, Nov 8, 2023 at 12:00 PM | Eventbrite