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SUMMARY:Building knowledge of the natural world: the historical and contem
 porary contributions of citizen science within the UK - John Tweddle (Natu
 ral History Museum\, London)
DTSTART:20190225T130000Z
DTEND:20190225T140000Z
UID:TALK117727@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Laura Brassington
DESCRIPTION:Since the 19th century\, volunteer communities of amateur-expe
 rt naturalists have played a central role in generating scientific underst
 anding of the UK's natural environment\, through observing and documenting
  the natural world. This long and illustrious tradition continues today\, 
 with much of our knowledge of the plant and animal species that occur in t
 he UK deriving from the expertise and passion of these long-term networks 
 of volunteer naturalists.\n\nSet against this continuity\, the first part 
 of the 21st century has seen a rapid expansion of the broader field of cit
 izen science. Driven by the emergence of digital technologies\, pressing s
 cientific need and rising public interest\, citizen science has increased 
 in profile and prominence to become a popular pastime and a distinct acade
 mic field. Each year\, over a million people from across the UK contribute
  their time\, expertise and enthusiasm to an ever growing diversity of res
 earch projects relating to the UK's wildlife and environment. For many con
 tributors\, this involvement represents their first direct experience of t
 he process of science.\n\nIn this talk I will consider the changing landsc
 ape of citizen science and highlight some of the opportunities and challen
 ges that this is presenting for both the field of science and the citizen 
 scientists themselves.
LOCATION:Seminar Room 1\, Department of History and Philosophy of Science
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