Thread by @DouglasBooker

PROUD to say that the 1st paper of my PhD is published #OpenAccess in Local Environment: tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.10…

We examine tensions in knowledge production from an air quality citizen science project & make suggestions for how to do it in an environmentally just way.

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We worked with @BetterOldSwan (BOS), a community group in Liverpool concerned about the effects of traffic on air quality (AQ) in their neighbourhood. We helped BOS to generate their own AQ data so they could demonstrate their perceived problem of traffic air pollution.

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There are LOADS of #CitizenScience projects where AQ scientists work with community groups to measure AQ. However, more 'better' data does not — necessarily — lead to better AQ for affected communities.

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Inspired by critical physical geography (see @RebeccaLave), we develop an approach that we call critical air quality science (CAQS) to instil a way of thinking for AQ scientists to ensure research is done in an environmentally just way.
*info on the figure in the alt text*

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Using CAQS we examined our AQ citizen science project:
•How can AQ data make a difference?
•Who is considered an insider/outsider?
•Are there potential unintended consequences?
•Should we focus on reducing air pollution exposure or structural causes of air pollution?

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Citizen science often generates untraditional AQ data by measuring different things in different places.

Untraditional AQ data is often dismissed, so need to be strategic about balancing alignment with traditional AQ practices vs maintaining an element of critique

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Citizens are framed as having inside/lay knowledge & scientists outside/expert knowledge. We argue that inside/outside aren’t fixed.

Citizens are diverse & have a mixture of knowledges, so take them seriously. BUT they may not have a deep inside knowledge of poor AQ.

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How AQ cit sci is reported has social impacts: it can make people feel they live in a risky area, perpetuate stigma, & factor in political decisions.

Need to think about WHO AQ CIT SCI IS FOR: it should help citizens achieve their goals, & not unwittingly ⬆ inequalities.

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Poor AQ damages health in short-term but behaviour change doesn’t challenge root causes & puts responsibility onto individuals.

We made a vid to promote behaviour change to ⬇ exposure/emissions + make connections to challenge poor AQ at the root:

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Overall, we argue that AQ scientists should think carefully about how they do citizen science. When designing, doing, & reporting research they should prioritise the perspectives of those affected by #AirPollution to avoid adding to their problems.

#EnvironmentalJustice

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A massive thanks to @BetterOldSwan for making our citizen science experience a profoundly positive one, my @LancsUnilLEC co-authors (@profgpw, @pjyoung, and Ana Porroche-Escudero), and to our funders (@NIHRARCs, @arc_nwc, & @NAQTS).

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@BetterOldSwan @profgpw @pjyoung @NIHRARCs @arc_nwc @NAQTS @threadreaderapp unroll

@LancsUniLEC - oops!