Experts, Expertise and Citizen Science: A Case Study of Air Quality Monitoring, 2021-2024

Environmental controversies are often about knowledge and expertise as much as they are about politics, rights and life chances. The reason is that the evidence produced by the different groups involved is often part of the controversy, with disputes over what is known and not known, by whom, and with what degree of accuracy being a source of tension rather than consensus.

Community groups are responding to these challenges through new forms of citizen science in which they collect new data that can be used to contest decisions that affect their lives and communities. In this project, we worked with one such group to monitor air quality and to improve their local environment. This involved supporting, and reporting on, their work to deploy monitoring equipment and build community networks as well as examining how these efforts are received by others. Interviews were conducted with a cross-section of actors and groups with a stake in the project. These included the local civil society group, policy makers and representatives of other relevant organisations.

These interviews allowed participants to articulate their own perspective and experience and enable the project team to understand how different kinds of expertise are – and/or should be – valued within decision-making activities.