The Why of Citizen Science
To produce knowledge, based on the scientific method, to solve a problem or improve a situation that concerns the community, and to do so from, for and with society, this is how we understand Citizen Science in MonuMAI.
According to the Green Paper on Citizen Science, published by the European Commission, Citizen Science refers to that scientific knowledge that is produced by the active participation of the general population; citizens actively collaborate either with their intellectual effort, with the knowledge of their environment or by contributing their own tools and resources.
With this alliance, society raises new questions, provides experimental data that can give rise to new tools for researchers and contributes to the creation of a new scientific culture.
Citizens, while adding value to scientists, understand their work in depth. In addition, this experience contributes to improving their culture and therefore facilitates the use of scientific knowledge in their daily decision-making, in matters ranging from the domestic to the political, thus increasing their capacity for social intervention.
It is true that our country occupies a privileged place in the promotion of this new way of research, and that we have very relevant experiences to learn from, although most of the known projects are led by associative movements and by the scientific community itself. The uniqueness of MonuMai lies in being led by one of the most relevant research groups in Andalusia and an entity specialized in Social Communication of Science, and integrates Mathematics, Art and BigData.
Citizen Science projects clearly improve the relationship between science, society and politics and promote more democratic research. In our case, they are also a weapon for the future, as they also have an impact on the promotion of scientific vocations and the incorporation of technology into the study and enhancement of artistic heritage.