Envirocent
Envirocent
Funders
Project information
Project duration
-
Funded by
Other International
Project funder
Project coordinator
University of Oulu
Unit and faculty
History, Culture and Communication Studies
Faculty of Humanities
Contact information
Project leader
- Associate Professor (on leave)Roger Norum
Contact person
Project description
Project description
The fragile northern environments are under increasing pressure from climate change. The struggle to piece together the puzzle of sustainability by addressing a multiplicity of issues requires a multiplicity of voices that can offer solutions to an unknown future.
The Envirocent project aims to promote the use of diverse knowledge-making and transdisciplinary approaches, like citizen science, that expand the boundaries of who and what has a voice in research that matters. This may look like primary school-aged citizen scientists or 'kidizens' armed with plant species tracking apps, an interactive performance engaging the community in critical thinking about green energy, or using fictional film methods to represent otherwise unseen realities of industrial pollution.
We are a multidisciplinary team of scholars, artists, educators, activists, and community members from beyond the university environment. Envirocent involves the collaboration of the University of Oulu faculty and students with faculty and students from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim. This extends to designing activities that engage academic and non-academic community members in more meaningful research that addresses common challenges and concerns. Envirocent promotes the agency of citizens of all ages and backgrounds, including non-human members of the community, as owners and contributors of valuable knowledge.
Through a series of events, workshops, symposiums, and art, we showcase the diversity and complexity of ongoing and successfully completed scientific research projects which work with and for citizens and society, in Northern environments and globally. Further, we aim to bring together students, early career scientists, and senior researchers who are interested in integrating diverse knowledge-making into their research and offer advice, training, and capacity building through senior mentors.
Project trainings
Event I
24 January 2023: CitizANTS Symposium “Citizen Science: what is doing to and for Science?”
Target group: EVERYBODY (inside and outside the university community)
“What is CS doing to and for Science?” Anna Krzywoszynka and Thora Herrmann
“What is ‘Science’ in Citizen Science? A Perspective from Philosophy of Science.” Jouni-Matti Kuukkanen
“Citizen science with young people and other animals – Who counts and how?” Pauliina Rautio
"Citizen science in botanical research and nature conservation: a few examples from personal experience." Mykyta Peregrym
Event II and III:
17 March 2023: Morning event (9-12) “Building counter-narratives and working with fiction in environmental justice research” led by Jasper Coppes
17 March 2023: Afternoon event (13-16) : “Citizen Science, Arts and Digitization” Kamingespräch/ Takkatulikeskustelu/ Fire side Chat
Click on the events titles above to sign up!
Target group: PhD students, researchers, faculty
Event IV
05 May 2023: “Citizen Science in the North”
Our closing event will be a hybrid seminar co-organized between ANTS, NTNU Trondheim and the “ENVIROCENT” NCM-funded project. Best-practice-Citizen Science projects from the North will be presented by speakers from Norway, Sweden, and Finland. We’ll look towards the future of Citizen Science in the North and discuss how citizen science can help foster knowledge co-production in the North.
Target group: PhD students, researchers, faculty
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The four events will take place between 24 January 2023 and 5 May 2023. Refreshments are served at the events and when applicable costs of transportation and accommodation for invite speakers are covered by the grant from NCM and ANTS.
To Learn more about citizen science in Oulu and Finland: Link to FACTZ website
Event V
Citizen Science MasterClass
30 May 2023: Hybrid event for students, early career scientists, and researchers who would like to start a Citizen Science project or are already involved in a CS project to obtain advice and capacity building from senior mentors.
*For students ECTS credits will be a possibility.
31 May 2023: Field excursion in Oulu