How radical forms of citizen’s participation in science transforms the way we conduct research

By Livio Riboli-Sasco

Abstract

How are we producing knowledge? What changes when scientists work with citizens? In his lecture, Livio Riboli-Sasco explains how citizens’ participation in science transforms the way scientists conduct research. He uses many examples of research projects in which citizens are closely involved to show that citizens are legitimate in raising scientific questions. They bring objectivity to science, he says, and help scientists deepen their understanding of natural and human mechanisms. Riboli-Sasco ends his talk by enumerating obstacles he has faced when working on projects with citizens: the lack of funding, the institutional pressure on researchers, and the difficulty to find mediators.

Summary

00:00:00 – 1. Introduction
00:01:25 – 1.1. What is citizen science?

00:04:52 – 2. Diving into contemporary citizen science
00:04:55 – 2.1. The project of Les nouveaux commanditaires by Bruno Latour
00:07:30 – 2.2. The project of Livio Riboli-Sasco with Bruno Latour
00:07:47 – 2.2.1. The difference between artists and scientists
00:08:50 – 2.2.2. Citizens are legitimate in raising scientific questions
00:10:45 – 2.2.3. How identity changes the way to approach scientific research
00:13:20 – 2.2.4. Citizen science brings objectivity

00:15:28 – 4. Examples of projects in citizen science
00:15:30 – 4.1. Project n°1: How colors influence our memory?
00:21:31 – 4.2. Project n°2: How to help sclerosis patients to live better?
00:26:21 – 4.3. Project n°3: How to interact better in a playground?
00:28:58 – 4.4. Project n°4: How to help people with speech disorder in Basque language?
00:35:10 – 4.5. Project n°5: How costal erosion will affect Portuguese favelas?

00:41:10 – 5. Obstacles to citizen science
00:41:10 – 5.1. The lack of funding
00:46:54 – 5.2. The institutional pressure
00:49:45 – 5.3. The difficulty to find mediators