Innovation Lead at Earthwatch
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Luigi Ceccaroni is a researcher in the fields of citizen science, environmental sciences and artificial intelligence. He manages strategic innovation at Earthwatch Europe.
He has worked on European Commission projects studying how to analyze and evaluate citizen-science impacts.
Luigi compares two citizen-science models: 1. Crisis-driven such as Japan’s Safecast (led by Pieter Franken) which was rapidly created after the Fukushima incident to crowdsource high-quality radiation measurements. 2. African initiatives that respond to slower, structural environmental changes and focus on community empowerment rather than short-term emergencies.
He is a co-editor of The Science of Citizen Science. His passion for citizen science is a motivation for all of us.
Shorts (Videos)
AI and Storytelling
The Transcript
Safecast crisis-driven citizen science
Slower change means engagement of citizens in Africa
Biodiversity monitoring into global repositories
Trust in data collected and degrees of quality
Treating bias – even in scientists
Quality of data impacts decision-making
Citizens acquire knowledge and own decision-making processes
Mobile-First from Africa spread to Europe
Mobile-First means designed for saving the data
Interpreting data from different parts of the world
Citizen science for environmental problems in poorer areas
Horizon Europe Research Program, the European Union open door for funding citizen science in Africa
Storytelling engages people, gets to the heart of the community
The importance of knowing who tells the story if AI is used
Cold data is forgotten, stories last after the crisis is over
Role of AI in science and citizen science
Strengthening the relation between human and nature
People need to talk together, build momentum, movements and critical mass
Create a narrative by community, where individuals come together
Earthwatch brings individuals to contribute to the community
Links to explore
Earthwatch
Luigi on Earthwatch Institute
Earthwatch expeditions pair researchers with volunteers to address some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.
AI and Citizen Science by Luigi
The Science of Citizen Science – open access book
Luigi is co-author.
Luigi’s research articles on Researchgate
More Citizen Science
Pieter Franken link to Jane and Pieter’s conversation about Safecast, long considered to be one of most successful citizen science initiatives in the world
Other Groups
To drive sustainable innovation in Africa
The Bridge Shakers Youth Group
A group of young people, the Bridge Shakers Youth Group, have been running low-cost air quality sensors and reading the data themselves.
Working on health policies
