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Small but mighty: Learning outcomes and impacts of microplastic focused citizen science

Hjelm, Rita LU (2023) In Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science MESM02 20231
LUCSUS (Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies)
Abstract
Microplastics are a present and future threat to the sustainability of coastal socio-economic systems. Current solutions and management could be improved by developing citizen science programs to foster community engagement and knowledge generation. However, research is limited on the actual learning outcomes and impacts of citizen science. To help close this gap, this research builds upon existing studies and found strong evidence that participation in citizen science leads to an increase of specific subject content and science knowledge and contributes to individual outlooks leading to continued support for environmental action. However, there were mixed results on how participation impacts environmental behaviors or policy engagement.... (More)
Microplastics are a present and future threat to the sustainability of coastal socio-economic systems. Current solutions and management could be improved by developing citizen science programs to foster community engagement and knowledge generation. However, research is limited on the actual learning outcomes and impacts of citizen science. To help close this gap, this research builds upon existing studies and found strong evidence that participation in citizen science leads to an increase of specific subject content and science knowledge and contributes to individual outlooks leading to continued support for environmental action. However, there were mixed results on how participation impacts environmental behaviors or policy engagement. These learnings show that citizen science has the potential to contribute to effective management of microplastics but should be done through co-creation since desired outcomes are unique to each community. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Hjelm, Rita LU
supervisor
organization
course
MESM02 20231
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
sustainability science, community science, non-profit, impact, socio-ecological systems
publication/series
Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science
report number
2023:011
language
English
id
9116860
date added to LUP
2023-05-26 08:47:20
date last changed
2023-05-26 08:47:20
@misc{9116860,
  abstract     = {{Microplastics are a present and future threat to the sustainability of coastal socio-economic systems. Current solutions and management could be improved by developing citizen science programs to foster community engagement and knowledge generation. However, research is limited on the actual learning outcomes and impacts of citizen science. To help close this gap, this research builds upon existing studies and found strong evidence that participation in citizen science leads to an increase of specific subject content and science knowledge and contributes to individual outlooks leading to continued support for environmental action. However, there were mixed results on how participation impacts environmental behaviors or policy engagement. These learnings show that citizen science has the potential to contribute to effective management of microplastics but should be done through co-creation since desired outcomes are unique to each community.}},
  author       = {{Hjelm, Rita}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science}},
  title        = {{Small but mighty: Learning outcomes and impacts of microplastic focused citizen science}},
  year         = {{2023}},
}