Lightning Talk: Citizen Science as science innovation

We present findings from a current project in the Hout Catchment, Limpopo Province in South Africa, adding value to current discourse on citizen science (CS) and science innovation proposing that citizen science narrows the gap between technical expertise and concerns of social justice and research integrity. We propose a citizen science framework that builds on ideas of the living lab, trust and research integrity – building a new science platform. The idea of research integrity is not only about ethics but also about methods and we propose participatory methods that are in inclusive, just and fair. The frame presents the idea of water literacy – where the material or ‘science’ aspects of CS (dip-meters, rain gauges etc) intersect with the more intangible goods that have to do with human well-being. Considering CS within the frame of feminist philosophy, it is personally transformative with the element of ‘surprise’ that the end point is undetermined – and the process, however much ‘planned’ is unknown. CS in this instance is a powerful emancipatory tool that is able to generate virtuous cycles of inclusion and equality and contribute to innovative solutions in the realm of science.