Scientific citizens, smartphones and social media – reshaping the socio-spatial networks of participation: Insects, soil and food

Abstract

The conjunction of citizen science and social media through the mediation of the smartphone is investigated in this Scientific Communication, following on from the last issue of the Moravian Geographical Reports (2019, Vol. 27, No. 4). Through a reconsideration of three previously published articles, in part written by the author, this paper reflects on these topics with regard to farmer innovation, local food networks and citizen-informed ecology. Each of these papers has used Twitter to gather data about practices of innovation and observation that have revealed new insights about innovation networks amongst farmers, urban-rural connections and insect behaviours. The reflections reported here are embedded in a discussion of the rise of the term ‘Citizen Science’. Recent experiences in areas as diverse as fisheries management and combating Ebola, have informed societal needs for greater engagement in finding inclusive, comprehensive solutions to urgent socio-ecological problems. This paper suggests a compositional approach to studies using citizen scientists and their data as a new avenue of practice and investigation.

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The Anthropocene and ecological awareness in Poland: The post-socialist view

“…The fact that public and social media play an important role in shaping the consciousness of urban and rural residents carries both opportunities and threats. The positives include the possibility of a wide range of information distribution, both through traditional (TV) and modern (Internet and social media) channels, pluralism of content, as well as co-creation of people's attitudes, choices and behaviours (Reed, 2020). Nevertheless, it should also be kept in mind that the media can determine in a very malleable and effective, even 'programmed' way, how views, opinions, observations and regularities are formed in many areas of life (Goban-Klas, 2005).…”

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