Co-creation in citizen science: Sharing learnings and good practice from an indoor, airborne microplastics project

Sardo, Margarida; De Vito, Laura; Pringle, Kirsty; Hansen, Mark; Lamb-Riddell, Kathryn; Laggan, Sophie; Cox, Tim; Williams, Ben

Abstract

HOMEs was a citizen science exploratory project, aimed at investigating the presence of airborne microplastics in people's homes. Participants placed passive samplers in their homes, using low-cost microscopes to see and take pictures of their samples. The methods developed are promising, however there are a number of pitfalls to avoid and key considerations. This practice insight explores successful approaches and identifies barriers and limitations when embedding co-creation and participatory citizen science approaches to a research project. This piece focuses on the methods and engagement with participants, rather than on microplastics findings.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 3, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Jan 20, 2025
• Publication Date: Jan 20, 2025
• Deposit Date: Dec 12, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 4, 2025
• Electronic ISSN: 1824-2049
• Publisher: Sissa Medialab
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 24
• Issue: 1
• Article Number: 2
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22323/2.24010802
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/13524912