Abstract
Citizen science has become a world-wide phenomenon. Especially for citizen science projects that have a global reach, translation is crucial to overcome language and cultural barriers to reach members of the public. Translation, understood as the transfer of meaning (of a text) from one language into another language, is crucial for the transmission of information, knowledge and (social) innovations. Therefore, this paper examines the role of translation and terminology used in citizen science projects and how translation can foster (or impede) social innovation through citizen science activities. Based on a set of predefined criteria derived from the social innovation literature, this paper analyzes the factors that contribute to (social) innovation in citizen science by means of translation. A specific focus of the case study is on the aspects of agency, institutions, and social systems. The results demonstrate that translation in citizen science may support a change of social practices as ingredients of social innovations. Additional research is needed to further understand the implications of translation in citizen science and its effects on social innovation. Nevertheless, this work has been one of the first attempts to examine the relation between translation, citizen science and social innovation.
Highlights
Citizen science has received considerable attention in recent years
Based on a case study, this paper explores the ways in which translation is used to meet the needs of the contributing participants and the extent to which translation in citizen science projects can bring social innovation
This paper examines the role of translation and terminology used in citizen science projects and how translation can foster social innovation through citizen science activities
Summary
Citizen science has received considerable attention in recent years. Citizen science has been practiced for a long time, it evolved as a “movement” only recently. Citizens may act as contributors, collaborators, or as project leader and have a meaningful role in the project” (European Citizen Science Association, 2015). The increased interest in and emergence of citizen science led to a professionalization of the field, the development of a community (of practice) and of principles of citizen science (European Citizen Science Association, 2015; ECSA, 2020). These principles specify inclusion and exclusion criteria to draw boundaries between what can, and cannot be considered citizen science
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