The Valuable Plurality of the Citizen Sciences

Citizen science is a multilayered concept. Although it generally understood as form of public engagement with and technology, can take various forms, widely different roles for citizens. Despite this vastness, “contributory” strand citizen dominates the field, which formally limits citizens’ to those data gatherers professional scientists or experts. This has led critics argue that not inclusive, socially transformative, democratizing its advocates claim, appeals by scholars, practitioners, policymakers more dialogue deliberation in all stages processes. In piece, we share our reflections on these questions drawing experiences participant observers contributory projects parts world. Responding above critiques, illustrate how such have emancipatory potential terms impacting policy agendas, inciting behavioral change, engaging hard-to-reach societal groups. We future lies pluralizing sciences experimenting modes democratic representation, participation, deliberation.