Situating Citizen Science: Risk and Governmentality in Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring

• In Event: 046 - Section on Environment and Technology Roundtable Session (one-hour).
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 02. Risk and Risk Perception

Abstract

Citizen Science of often considered a way to democratize the scientific knowledge production process and include lay people in environmental governance. However, little is known about the ways in which individuals who participate in citizen science view their role in these processes. This study uses in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 17 participants in volunteer water quality monitoring organizations in the Greater Cincinnati / Northern Kentucky region to explore the motivations and desired outcomes of citizen science participants. Results suggest that respondents do not see themselves as co-producers of scientific knowledge or as environmental advocates. Responses indicate citizen science can be understood as theoretically situated between Ulrich Beck's Risk Society and Michel Foucault's Governmentality.

Author

• Jaime McCauley, Northern Kentucky University