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GEOG41170

Academic Year 2025/2026

Citizen Science (GEOG41170)

Subject:
Geography
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Geography
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Dr Jeremy Auerbach
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Citizen science is an important vehicle for democratising science and promoting the goal of universal and equitable access to scientific data and information. Data generated by citizen science groups have become an increasingly important source for researchers. Citizen science data are used extensively across all fields, for example, crowdsourced data are being used by UN operational agencies for humanitarian activities and citizen scientists are providing data relevant to monitoring the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Citizen science is also increasingly being incorporated into fellowships and research funding in Ireland (see recent calls by Research Ireland and the Environmental Protection Agency) and the EU.

This module will introduce you to the theory and practice of citizen science. You'll explore the history, theoretical foundations, and practical aspects of designing and running citizen science projects. By the end of the module, you'll have a good understanding of citizen science and be familiar with the academic literature in this area.

The module is aimed at:
● those involved in citizen science and public engagement with science
● students, staff, and faculty who are considering developing a citizen science project
● citizens interested in being involved with science

There are no pre-requisites for this module. You don't need any prior knowledge of what citizen science is, or participatory methods.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

● Demonstrate knowledge of the field of citizen science and scientific crowdsourcing, including the activities that are include in it and its history
● Demonstrate familiarity and knowledge of relevant social science theories that explain the role of citizen science within scientific knowledge production
● Utilize the technologies used in citizen science and scientific crowdsourcing, and understand how they shape and impact the projects and the applications of their outputs
● Understand the practice of citizen science through participation in several activities, and be able to critique and evaluate such practices
● Demonstrate the appropriate evaluation techniques for citizen science and scientific crowdsourcing, including the experience and learning of participants

Indicative Module Content:

Basics of citizen science: Citizen Science Theory and transdisciplinary research
- CS contribution to research, society, and policy
- Building and empowering communities
- Science accessibility
- Social theory approaches to thinking about citizen science and its place in the world
- Tensions and synergies

Research on CS
- Citizen science and education

How to make projects participant-centred 1: Participation and participants in CS
- Engaging and communicating with citizens
- Participant management

How to make projects participant-centred 2: The technical aspects of citizen science projects
- Participatory methods and technology
- User-centred design and human-computer interaction
- Data considerations, management and ensuring quality

Communication, evaluation and policy
- Impact assessment

Ethics and legal issues
- Institutional ethics applications

Grant writing and opportunities
- Review of the CS components in new proposals

Best practices
- How to kickstart citizen science projects
- How to sustain citizen science projects

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

9
Small Group

9
Field Trip/External Visits

6
Specified Learning Activities

50
Autonomous Student Learning

126
Total

200

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module will require high levels of self-motivation, independent organisation, active/task-based learning; critical writing; enquiry based and reflective learning.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Group Work Assignment: Leading and designing a CS project Week 8 Graded No
50
 No
Group Work Assignment: Translating a CS project into action/policy Week 14 Graded No
50
 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Peer review activities
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

- Group feedback on common issues arising from the written assignments will be provided on brightspace. - Timely individualised feedback will be provided on written assignments. - Students are welcome to meet with the module coordinator during office hours (virutally) if more detailed feedback / further clarification is required. Please note: The UCD standard for feedback is within 20 working days, i.e. 5 weeks. We will endeavour to return assignments that are completed on time within 2-3 weeks, and where possible before the next assignment is due. Assignments handed in late will be subject to University timescales. This may mean that if you hand in your assignment late, another assignment will need to be completed, before the original one is marked. This will also be the case with the final project report, i.e. if you complete the assignments late, you may not have feedback in time to use it for your final project report.

Name Role
Dr Chiara Cocco Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Emma Dorris Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Aura Istrate Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Anna Molter Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 10, 11, 12 Tues 15:00 - 16:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 3, 6, 9 Tues 15:00 - 16:50
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