ZA421 Citizen science in geographical research

Faculty of Science
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
1/2/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
RNDr. Jakub Trojan, MSc, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
RNDr. Jakub Trojan, MSc, Ph.D.
Department of Geography – Earth Sciences Section – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: RNDr. Jakub Trojan, MSc, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Department of Geography – Earth Sciences Section – Faculty of Science
Prerequisites
The course assumes a basic knowledge of common research methods in geographic research (quantitative and qualitative), which will be further expanded to include elements of citizen science. PC user proficiency with an emphasis on the use of GIS systems at the undergraduate level in geography is also assumed.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The goal of the course is to learn the basic methods of citizen science that are applicable to geographic research. The sub-objectives include learning the basic principles of citizen science, experiencing the role of a participant and coordinator of a citizen science project. A sub-objective is also to acquire skills related to the design of one's own research based on citizen science principles.
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of the course the student will be able to:
- describe and apply the basic principles of civic science;
- identify geographical topics (geographical research) where it is appropriate to use citizen science methods;
- master the tools needed to participate in citizen science projects;
- design a geographical citizen science project that meets the 10 principles of citizen science;
- analyse and critically evaluate data from citizen science projects.
Syllabus
  • Mapping the landscape - the history and evolution of citizen science, theoretical background and essential terminology.
  • Ten principles of citizen science.
  • Motivation to participate - recruiting and engaging participants.
  • Citizen science in long-term research.
  • Cyber citizen science.
  • Community-based citizen science and invisible citizen science.
  • Citizen science in physical geography and environmental (+ life) sciences.
  • Citizen science in social geography and social sciences & humanities (+ arts).
  • Data quality in citizen science project. The role and use of machine learning and AI.
  • Data standardization and interoperability, tools for citizen science.
  • Citizen science links to policy and society.
  • Designing citizen science projects in geographical research I.
  • Designing citizen science projects in geographical research II.
  • Opportunities and challenges of citizen science for geographical research.
Literature
    required literature
  • SKARLATIDOU, Artemis a Mordechai HAKLAY, ed. Geographic citizen science design: no one left behind. London: UCL Press, 2021, xxxiv, 365 s. ISBN 978-1-78735-613-9.
  • VOHLAND, Katrin, Anne LAND-ZANDSTRA, Luigi CECCARONI, Rob LEMMENS, Josep PERELLÓ, Marisa PONTI, Roeland SAMSON a Katherin WAGENKNECHT, ed. The science of citizen science. Cham: Springer, [2021], vii, 529 s. ISBN 978-3-030-58277-7.
    recommended literature
  • HECKER, Susanne, Mordechai HAKLAY, Anne BOWSER, Zen MAKUCH, Johannes VOGEL a Aletta BONN, ed. Citizen science: innovation in open science, society and policy. London: UCL Press, 2018, xxxviii, 542 s. ISBN 978-1-78735-234-6.
  • WYNN, James. Citizen science in the digital age: rhetoric, science, and public engagement. Tuscaloosa: The University of Alabama Press, [2017], x, 207 s. Rhetoric, culture, and social critique. ISBN 978-0-8173-1943-4.
  • LEMMENS, Rob, Gilles FALQUET, Chrisa TSINARAKI, Friederike KLAN, Sven SCHADE, Lucy BASTIN, Jaume PIERA, Vyron ANTONIOU, Jakub TROJAN, Frank OSTERMANN and Luigi CECCARONI. A Conceptual Model for Participants and Activities in Citizen Science Projects. In Katrin Vohland, Anne Land-Zandstra, Luigi Ceccaroni, Rob Lemmens, Josep Perelló, Marisa Ponti, Roeland Samson, Katherin Wagenknecht. The Science of Citizen Science. Cham: Springer, 2021, p. 159-182. ISBN 978-3-030-58277-7. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-58278-4. Open Access info
  • FRANZEN, Martina, Laure KLOETZER, Marisa PONTI, Jakub TROJAN and Julián VICENS. Machine Learning in Citizen Science: Promises and Implications. In Katrin Vohland, Anne Land-Zandstra, Luigi Ceccaroni, Rob Lemmens, Josep Perelló, Marisa Ponti, Roeland Samson, Katherin Wagenknecht. The Science of Citizen Science. Cham: Springer, 2021, p. 183-198. ISBN 978-3-030-58277-7. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-58278-4. Open Access info
  • TROJAN, Jakub, Sven SCHADE, Rob LEMMENS and Bohumil FRANTÁL. Citizen science as a new approach in Geography and beyond: Review and reflections. Moravian Geographical Reports. AV ČR, Institute of Geonics, Czech Academy of Sciences, 2019, vol. 27, No 4, p. 254-264. ISSN 1210-8812. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.2478/mgr-2019-0020. Moravian Geographical Reports info
  • DUŽÍ, Barbora, Robert OSMAN, Jiří LEHEJČEK, Eva NOVÁKOVÁ, Pavel TARABA and Jakub TROJAN. Exploring citizen science in post-socialist space: Uncovering its hidden character in the Czech Republic. Moravian Geographical Reports. Brno: AV ČR, Institute of Geonics, Czech Academy of Sciences, 2019, vol. 27, No 4, p. 241-253. ISSN 1210-8812. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.2478/mgr-2019-0019. Moravian Geographical Reports info
Teaching methods
Lectures, seminar work based on individual & group projects, class discussion.
Assessment methods
Fulfilling requirements: Design of individual citizen science project.
Oral examination.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every week.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/sci/spring2025/ZA421