Why we're changing the term “Citizen Scientist” to “Community Scientist”

In the past, we’ve used the term “citizen scientist” to describe the amazing people who are out on the water with us collecting water samples that give Swim Guide users the information they need to make informed decisions about when and where they enter the water. This crucial data also helps inform future conservation and management efforts across our Great Lakes and coasts. 

The term “citizen science,” which has many definitions, is most generally defined as science conducted by individuals without professional scientific training. We at Swim Drink Fish are huge proponents of community-driven science, however, we feel using the term “citizen” does not reflect the diversity of the people that are involved (or could be involved) in community-based water monitoring and participatory science in general.

The term “citizen” is an inaccurate way to define community-driven science for two reasons:

1. Using the term citizen excludes people who are participating in science efforts but do not fit the definition of “citizen”. This can happen because not everyone who inhabits a place is defined as a citizen of that place by the federal government. Sometimes, even if the government does recognize you as a citizen, you might not agree with the definition of citizen given by the federal government.

In Canada, the definition of citizen is trickier than you might think. Take, for example, the Federal Government’s Indian Act, which controls the registry and definition of “Indian” people in Canada. Through the imposed Indian Act, the federal government removed the inherent authority of First Nations people to define what it means to be a member and have the rights of their own nation. This inhibits their ability to self-determine, and as The Assembly of First Nations has stated, the “language of [the] Indian Act and government does not represent or accurately express First Nation interpretation of identity, citizenship and membership”. 

2. The term “citizen” is also connected to the notions of geopolitical borders and land ownership. Governments typically have states that they value and protect as their own. However, environmental issues like climate change, water pollution, and resource scarcity (just to name a few) are not bound by these political borders. If we choose to define ourselves only by our given citizenship, adopting a Not In My Backyard attitude, we’re limiting the response we can contribute to local and global environmental problems. 

It’s clear that the term “citizen” does not support an inclusive model necessary for good community-based science. It also means that our hubs might be missing out on input from valuable contributors. 

That’s why we’re changing the term we use to describe the people involved in our community-based water monitoring program from citizen scientist to community scientist.  

At Swim Drink Fish, our motto has always been to connect people to water. We don’t believe there should be any sort of citizenship requirement to do that. 

We care about community-based science because it has the potential to create a more equitable, anti-colonial, and open science (while at the same time improving our environment). Academic Western science has a long history of ignoring the voices of marginalized groups, which is especially problematic in environmental sciences, where frequently the people who are witnessing environmental degradation and experiencing environmental injustice are ignored. 

What are the next steps for community science?

To continue moving towards more inclusive science, we need to make sure everyone feels included. Even today, many community science programs are predominantly white. Community science programs historically and presently have not connected well with marginalized groups, largely because research goals do not align with community needs. 

While changing the term “citizen” to “community” is a big step, we hope that it is the first of many in creating more inclusive science, and a more inclusive monitoring program. Further steps will include making intentional space for different epistemologies like Traditional Ecological Knowledge and increasing the level of participation of community scientists within our monitoring (e.g. extreme citizen science). There are some incredible groups like the CLEAR lab, CEEJH Center, and Public Lab that are paving the way for truly inclusive science—and we will continue to learn and follow in their footsteps. 

If you are reading this and feel there’s a better term to use than “community scientist” please reach out! We’re still learning the best ways to be inclusive and would love to hear what you think. 

For more information on the hubs and community science you can explore these articles: 

Five Things to Know about Citizen Science

Citizen Science with Water Ranger's Kat Kavanagh