How Does Citizen Science "Do" Governance? Reflections from the DITOs Project

Citizen science (CS) is increasingly becoming a focal point for public policy to provide data for decision-making and to widen access to science. Yet beyond these two understandings, CS engages with political processes in a number of other ways. To develop a more nuanced understanding of governance in relation to CS, this paper brings together theoretical analysis by social science researchers and reflections from CS practice. It draws on concepts from Science and Technology Studies and political sciences as well as examples from the "Doing-It-Together Science" (DITOs) project. The paper develops a heuristic of how CS feeds into, is affected by, forms part of, and exercises governance. These four governance modes are (1) Source of information for policy-making, (2) object of research policy, (3) policy instrument, and (4) socio-technical governance. Our analysis suggests that these four dimensions represent different conceptions of how science and technology governance takes place that have not yet been articulated in the CS literature. By reflecting on the DITOs project, the paper shows how this heuristic can enrich CS. Benefits include project organisers better communicating their work and impacts. In its conclusion, the paper argues that focusing on the complexity of governance relations opens up new ways of doing CS regarding engagement methodologies and evaluation. The paper recommends foregrounding the broad range of governance impacts of CS and reflecting on them in cooperation between researchers and practitioners

An Overview of the Potential Environmental Impacts of Large Scale Microalgae Cultivation

Cultivation of microalgae for applications such as fuel, food, pharmaceuticals and farming is a rapidly developing area of research and investment. Whilst microalgae promises to deliver many environmental benefits compared with existing biofuel technology, there are also issues to overcome in relation to wastewater management, emissions control, land use change and responsible development of genetically modified organisms. This review seeks to highlight both the positive and negative impacts of microalgae cultivation, focusing on impacts to the aquatic, atmospheric and terrestrial biospheres that may occur and would need to be managed should the microalgae cultivation industry continue to grow

Talking Robots: a Critical Examination of Strategies for Public Engagement with Robotic Technologies, 2007-2008

<p>Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.</p>Robotics encompasses a broad range of academic disciplines including engineering, biology, neuroscience, psychology and artificial intelligence. It is a significant area of emerging science, and one where views regarding fact and fiction are particularly confused. <i>Talking Robots</i> aimed to investigate existing public attitudes to robotic technologies and their potential social impacts, alongside an examination of engagement strategies and their effectiveness, using robotics engagement events as examples. <br> <br> The project utilised the Walking with Robots network which is an existing series of events generated by prominent UK-based roboticists and science communicators and funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). Participant reactions to a series of 11 engagement events with a robotic focus were studied. Structured in-depth observations were made of the engagement events examining both verbal and non-verbal communication. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with three distinctive groups: 1) event organisers who arranged the activities, 2) engagers or experts that were involved in the activities, and 3) audience participants or people engaged in activities.<br> <br> Further information can be found on the <a href="http://www.esrcsocietytoday/esrcinfocentre/viewawardpage.aspx?awardnumber=RES-000-22-2180" title ="ESRC award">ESRC award</a> web page.<br><B>Main Topics</B>:<br>The interviews cover:<ul><li>perceptions of robots</li><li>motivations for taking part in the science activity</li><li>public involvement in science and technology</li></ul>The observations cover:<ul><li>the audience (age, numbers) </li><li>the venue (accessibility, environment, issues of entry and exit)</li><li>the event (timings, presenters, audience activity and response)</li><li>chronological notes</li><li>venue diagram</li></ul

Establishing Dialogue: Planning for Success: A Guide for Effective Communication Planning

Newer version of original document created in 1992

Forecasting multimedia markets? Society and user requirements

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:8425.0267(SPRU-CIST-RS--1) / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

The uses of social science research

Report of a workshop, 8 Sep 1994Available from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:95/23832 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreSIGLEGBUnited Kingdo

Issues in earth observation data policy for Europe A user perspective in European policy and technical institutions

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:8425.0267(SPRU-CICT--5) / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Future compatible? Information and communication technologies in the home; a methodology and a case study

A report prepared for the Commission of the European Communities Socio-Economic and Technical Impact Assessments and Forecasts, RACE proj. 2086Available from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:f99/1474 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreSIGLEGBUnited Kingdo

Global Nutrient Flows and Cycling in Food Systems

Plants require 14 nutrient elements in specific amounts for growth and development, in addition to carbon dioxide, water, and photosynthetic active radiation. The most limiting nutrient elements are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. This chapter briefly summarizes the driving forces of nutrient cycling and the changes in global nutrient flows and balances in agricultural systems and food systems, with a focus on nitrogen and phosphorus in food production‐consumption systems. The nitrogen cycle is a most complex nutrient cycle. Nitrogen exists in different forms, most of which are biologically, photochemically, or radiatively active. The phosphorus cycle serves as an example for the cycling of “immobile” elements, such as metals, cadmium, and magnesium. The availability of phosphorus in most soils limits crop production around the world. The specialization and agglomeration of food production systems was facilitated by transnational corporations