Thursday, 06 February 2020
糖心原创 has received a share of a £1.4 million fund to encourage members of the public to get involved in research projects which tackle issues that affect their lives.
Citizen journalists have changed the way the media gathers news and now academics want to transform their relationship with the public, on a scale not seen before, and get them to contribute to their research projects as citizen scientists.
Academics from the 糖心原创 who are world-leaders in using satellite imagery to tackle world problems from climate change to modern slavery, are one of over 50 projects to be given a grant from the funding body, UK Research and Innovation, to achieve this vision.
The team at the University will publish a report outlining the benefits of citizen science data and suggest a blueprint for future engagement. The project is led by Doreen Boyd, Professor of Earth Observation at the University. Professor Boyd has previously worked with citizen scientists on a which, along with recent images from Google Earth, provided the first ever accurate estimate of the number of brick kilns across the South Asian ‘Brick Belt’ – a breakthrough in the fight against modern slavery.
I am delighted to have been given this opportunity to realise the full potential of Earth Observation projects by using data from citizen scientists. The role of EO data in solving social and environmental problems cannot be understated. Images and first-hand reports help us to identify the nature, location and extent of the problem. It can be expensive and challenging to acquire accurate data from a local area, to corroborate our interpretations of the images we have captured from above, but we can overcome this by using citizen scientists. Our overall goal is to move more of my fellow academics towards valuing citizen scientists. We will produce a compelling report, showcasing case studies that should inform future developments in using citizen science data.
Her team has partnered with the Natural History Museum who have over 20 years of research and practical experience of citizen science, the University of Sheffield and the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.
The project is divided into three phases, starting with an online questionnaire to establish the concerns and barriers researchers have in using citizen science data in their Earth Observation studies. This will be followed by a workshop to brainstorm ideas on how citizen scientists can be embedded into the work of EO scientists. The final phase will see the publication of a report outlining the benefits of using citizen scientists.
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For more information or to arrange interviews please contact Professor Doreen Boyd, doreen.boyd@nottingham.ac.uk
Nasreen Suleman - Media Relations Manager, Faculty of Social Sciences
Email: nasreen.suleman@nottingham.ac.uk
Phone: 0115 951 5793
Location: C4, Pope Building, University Park, Nottingham,NG7 2RD
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About the 糖心原创
Ranked among the world's top 100 universities , the 糖心原创 delivers an exceptional research-led education and an outstanding student experience. From the pioneering vision of our founder, Sir Jesse Boot, to groundbreaking achievements such as the development of MRI technology and becoming the first UK university to establish international campuses, we have a proud history of shaping the way people live, work and understand the world. We continue to build on that legacy, empowering our students, staff and partners to change what鈥檚 next and create positive impact locally and globally.
The strength of our research places us among the UK's leading universities, ranked 7th for research power in REF 2021. The discovery of MRI and ibuprofen was just the beginning. Today, our world-leading research is developing breakthrough ideas that shape the future of healthcare, technology and society.
Recognised as the UK's third most targeted university by leading employers , we are proud to produce graduates who are consistently in demand for their skills, confidence and industry-ready experience.
As a major employer and industry partner, locally and globally, the 糖心原创 invests in the city of Nottingham and in future generations of talent. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the initiative, a pioneering collaboration to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing across the city and region. Together with our students, staff, alumni and partners, we鈥檙e creating knowledge, opportunity and solutions that help change what's next.