Citizen Science, Young Researchers, and Mobile Technology: Bridging Water Data Gaps in a Data and Resource-constrained Region

Abstract:

On a global scale, particularly in developing countries, scientists, researchers, and practitioners often face challenges in data availability, open access, and data sharing and credibility. Despite technical knowledge and expertise, scientists and practitioners often lack human resources to minimize the increasing data gaps. On the other hand, ordinary citizens do not have prior knowledge and understanding of how to contribute. Citizen science - where ordinary citizens and scientists work to achieve common scientific objectives - is gaining momentum and emerging as the most promising tool to bridge the knowledge gap between the two. Recent developments in robust and lower maintenance sensing technology, data processing, and communication platforms have opened several opportunities for data collection. In particular, advancement in mobile technology, equipped with GPS, high-resolution camera, cellular network, etc., make smartphones a perfect data collection tool for citizen science. SmartPhones4Water (S4W) intends to combine citizen scientists, young researchers, and trained scientists for collaborative research that supports sustainable water resource management. Smartphones For Water Nepal (S4W-Nepal), the first project initiated by S4W, generates mostly water-related data in the Kathmandu Valley, including precipitation, groundwater level/quality, stone spouts flow/quality, stream water level/flow/quality, and land use. All data are collected using an Android application called Open Data KIT (ODK) Collect. So far, we have engaged around 700 citizen scientists and 100 young researchers and generated over 30,000 water-related data necessary to quantify water stresses, such that solutions can be developed and implemented. In the past three years, we realized that it is crucial to put effort into citizen recruitment and prolonged motivation. Despite scientific papers and conference proceedings, it is equally important to share the project findings in the form of articles, website stories, blogs, etc. that are understandable to ordinary people. At present, we are focused on simple data collection methods, using low-cost sensors that can be further scaled in other data-scarce and resource-constrained regions, leveraging citizen science and young researchers, to fill water data gaps.