Abstract of the event:
Citizen science- the pursuit of involving amateurs in research- had grown exponentially in the past decade, but can it support both the professional scientific endeavour and inform policy decisions, or is it purely an educational tool in disguise? This seminar explores the panchreston in all its guises, considers the value of mass participation projects and examines whether data collected by the public can really be accurate. Focussing on one of the most extensive citizen science initiatives yet developed, this presentation will examine the Open Air Laboratories programme (OPAL) based in the CEP. This network of academic and environmental organisations across the UK has driven policy led research into Air, Climate, Water, Soil and Biodiversity through the involvement of professional and citizen scientists in seven national field surveys and independent research projects. With this experience, OPAL staff members were involved in setting up the European Citizen Science Association (ECSA). What have been the lessons learnt for citizen science and where do we go from here?
Biography of the speakers:
Dr. Poppy Lakeman Fraser, UK OPAL Coordinator
Poppy Lakeman Fraser is responsible for supporting the OPAL partnership and the growth of citizen science across the UK. She joined the CEP after working on the OPAL project at the Natural History Museum. Prior to this she conducted a PhD on Global Environmental Change with the Grantham Institute for Climate Change in the Forest Ecology and Conservation Research Group at Silwood Park. This research investigated the influence of land use modification and climate change on species interactions in forest ecosystems.
Roger Fradera, OPAL Portfolio Manager
Roger joined the OPAL team in August 2009, taking up the post of Portfolio Manager. Roger is responsible for the overall financial management of the portfolio, including all financial reporting, budgetary management, and compliance to financial procedures, management of quality and individual projects’ performance, and risk and emergency management. Roger graduated from King’s College London in 2002, and has since worked in a number of corporate governance, finance and audit, and project management roles in the private and public sector.