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UID:pretalx-citizen-science-communication-trust-2026-GUTMS8@ifkw.rz.tu-bs.d
 e
DTSTART;TZID=CET:20261005T154500
DTEND;TZID=CET:20261005T160000
DESCRIPTION:Citizen Science Communication Strategies in Urban Water and Fre
 shwater Ecosystem Projects\n\nCecília Guerra (1)\, Luísa Cardoso (2)\, T
 iago Peralta (3)\, Bruno B. Castro (4) Sara C. Antunes (5)\n\n(1) Sciences
  Faculty\, University of Porto\, cguerra@fc.up.pt \n(2) Engineering Facult
 y\, University of Porto\,up202402328@edu.fe.up.pt \n(3) Engineering Facult
 y\, University of Porto\, up201905013@edu.fe.up.pt \n(4) Centre of Molecul
 ar and Environmental Biology (CBMA)\, Department of Biology of the Univers
 ity of Minho\, brunocastro@bio.uminho.pt \n(5) Sciences Faculty\, Universi
 ty of Porto\, scantunes@fc.up.pt \n\nAbstract\n\nCitizen science has emerg
 ed as a key approach to bridging scientific knowledge production and socie
 tal engagement\, fostering trust\, co-creation\, and shared responsibility
  in addressing environmental challenges. Grounded in dialogical models of 
 science communication (Bucchi & Trench\, 2008\; Burns et al.\, 2003) and b
 roader reflections on public engagement with science (Wynne\, 1992)\, this
  contribution presents and critically reflects on the citizen science stra
 tegies implemented in two Portuguese research projects\, URBAnWat3r and 2Q
 UA.\nBoth projects address pressing water-related challenges\, including t
 he impacts of urbanization on aquatic biodiversity [1] and the sustainabil
 ity of lentic freshwater ecosystems\, particularly reservoirs [2]. Central
  to their approach is the development of participatory science communicati
 on (SciCom) plans grounded in citizen science principles and co-creation p
 ractices (Roche et al.\, 2020). These plans are supported by a design thin
 king methodology (Mota\, Sá and Guerra\, 2025)\, which enables iterative 
 development\, fosters stakeholder involvement\, and enhances responsivenes
 s to local contexts (Baharuddin et al.\, 2023).\nThe overarching goal of b
 oth projects is to actively involve citizens as co-creators of knowledge r
 ather than passive recipients. In URBAnWat3r\, local stakeholders (e.g.\, 
 schools\, municipalities\, water management entities\, and community group
 s) will participate in SciCom co-design sessions. Video-based approaches h
 ave been shown to be effective in enhancing public engagement with environ
 mental science topics (Ferreira et al.\, 2023).  Therefore\, the interacti
 on with local stakeholders will inform the development of an interactive d
 igital toolkit comprising a PDF that integrates three explanatory videos (
 up to 1 minute each). These materials are designed to communicate the ecol
 ogical risks of inadequate stormwater management by translating complex sc
 ientific data into accessible and engaging formats. Ultimately\, the toolk
 it aims to encourage reflection on everyday practices\, fostering increase
 d environmental awareness\, and promoting behavioural change. \nIn paralle
 l\, the 2QUA project engages local communities (e.g.\, teachers\, students
  and policymakers) in the co-design and use of an immersive 3D virtual env
 ironment that represents the biodiversity of the Aguieira reservoir. This 
 digital tool enables users to interactively explore species\, habitats\, a
 nd ecological processes\, thereby supporting experiential learning and fos
 tering an emotional connection with local freshwater ecosystems. The virtu
 al environment is complemented by open-access biodiversity datasets and vi
 sual materials\, reinforcing principles of transparency and accessibility.
  Such SciCom approaches reflect current trends in sustainability-oriented 
 science communication\, particularly in fostering environmental and sustai
 nability literacy (Aung et al.\, 2025).\nThe involvement of society in bot
 h projects serves multiple and interconnected purposes. First\, it enhance
 s the relevance and effectiveness of science communication by aligning too
 ls and messages with the needs\, experiences\, and contexts of their targe
 t audiences. Second\, it strengthens trust in science through transparency
 \, participation\, and shared ownership of knowledge production. Third\, i
 t promotes long-term engagement and behavioural change\, as citizens becom
 e more aware of their roles and responsibilities in promoting environmenta
 l sustainability.\nThis contribution examines how different digital format
 s (interactive video-based communication and immersive 3D environments) in
 fluence public engagement with science and trust in scientific knowledge. 
 It further explores the opportunities and limitations associated with thes
 e approaches\, particularly regarding digital accessibility and inclusivit
 y. Ultimately\, this work contributes to ongoing discussions on the role o
 f citizen science communication in supporting knowledge co-production\, st
 rengthening relationships between science and society\, and fostering more
  sustainable interactions with aquatic ecosystems.
DTSTAMP:20260721T210446Z
LOCATION:Room 1
SUMMARY:Citizen Science Communication Strategies in Urban Water and Freshwa
 ter Ecosystem Projects - Cecília Guerra\, Tiago Paralta\, Sara Cristina A
 ntunes\, Bruno Castro\, Luisa Cardoso
URL:https://ifkw.rz.tu-bs.de/citizen-science-communication-trust-2026/talk/
 GUTMS8/
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