This document discusses citizen science and empowering citizens to monitor and better understand their environment. It describes how open data and low-cost sensors can be used to acquire environmental data that is then analyzed and interpreted by citizens. This allows citizens to have a more informed dialogue with governments and influence policies. Examples are provided of citizen science projects focused on air quality monitoring in various cities around the world. The document advocates for enhancing citizens' data literacy skills and creating public data commons to facilitate citizen science initiatives.

1. Citizen Science
Frank Kresin
Managing Director DesignLab
Waag Society Fellow
@kresin / f.j.kresin@utwente.nl

2. How open are we in
Citizen Science?
1. Problem Definition
2. Research Strategy
3. Tools & Sensors
4. Data Acquisition
5. Interpretation
6. Action

3. Urban Environmental Challenges

4. http://www.eea.europa.eu/media/newsreleases/air-pollution-still-causing-harm

5. Official Measurement Stations

6. National Measurement Network
http://www.lml.rivm.nl/meetnet/index.php

8. SafeCast
http://blog.safecast.org/

9. AirBezen

10. Smart Citizens Lab
https://waag.org/en/project/amsterdam-smart-citizens-lab

11. SenseMakers
Amsterdam

12. Empower people to:
• Acquire, Read &
Manipulate Data
• Understand their
environment
• Turn data and insight
into action
• Using public networks
of low cost, open
source sensors

13. Resulting in:
• Better informed, more
engaged citizens
• Impactful dialogues
between citizens and
governments
• More data, more
insight, better policies
• More enjoyable, social,
inclusive, healthy &
livable cities

15. Methods
https://publiclab.org/

17. Data & Visualisations
http://waag.org/en/project/smart-citizen-kit

20. https://www.waag.org/en/project/making-sense

21. 300+
PARTICIPANTS
Air Quality
ISSUE
Kosovo
LOCATION
SCIENCE
FOR
CHANGE
Young people investigating
air pollution in Kosovo.
Kosovo is one of the most polluted regions in Europe.
The Science for Change Kosovo Movement is
empowering young people and affected communities
and jointly break the institutional silence around the air
pollution in Kosovo through evidence-based
campaigns and actions.

22. COMMUNITY
CHAMPIONS
Infrastructuring the next
generation of activists
The Barcelona pilot will look to train a
committed group of environmental activists in the
tools and methodologies needed to conduct
participatory sensing campaigns.
The first pilot will map and address the issue
of noise pollution, and collective resources.
25
PARTICIPANTS
Noise
ISSUE
Barcelona
LOCATION

23. URBAN
AIRQ
Tackling the most polluted
streets in Amsterdam
The Dutch environmental protection organisation
found that the Valkenburgerstraat and the
Weesperstraat in the heart of Amsterdam are the
most polluted streets of the city. We want to know
more about the situation in this part of the city and
will measure the air quality with the locals
20
PARTICIPANTS
Air Quality
ISSUE
Amsterdam
LOCATION

25. • Enhance people's
data literacy skills
• Develop public (free!)
data commons
• Provide tools for
calibrating & linking
• Reach out & listen to
communities
• Encourage campaigns
INSPIRE
http://amsterdamsmartcity.com/?lang=en

26. Empower
Smart Citizens

27. From Needs to
Knowledge
A reference framework for
smart citizens initiatives
1
AMSTERDAM
SMART
CITIZENS
LAB
LAURENCE HENRIQUEZ NATASHA DE SENAFRANK KRESIN
TOWARDS COMMUNITY DRIVEN DATA COLLECTION
A PUBLICATION BY WAAG SOCIETY & AMS INSTITUTE
author editor editor
https://waag.org/en/news/amsterdam-smart-citizens-lab-publication

28. University of Twente
Pinetumweg
Enschede
https://www.utwente.nl/en/designlab/
Frank Kresin
Managing Director
@kresin / f.j.kresin@utwente.nl