ESDiT Publications

@article{nokey,

title = {Mind the Relationship: A Multi-Layered Ethical Framework for Citizen Science in Health},

author = {Gaston Remmers and Julia Hermann and Egbert Siebrand and Catharina M. van Leersum},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-01-31},

urldate = {2023-01-31},

journal = {Etica & Politica/Ethics & Politics },

volume = {XXV},

issue = {2},

pages = {171-196},

abstract = {There is a heated debate about what citizen science is and is not. We argue that instead of aiming 

at a definition of citizen science, we should reflect upon its ethical starting points. Based on our 

practical experiences with citizen science initiatives, we come up with an ethical framework that 

consists of two core values (respect and justice), five ethical desiderata (relationship between 

equals; recognition of each other's capacities, knowledge, and agency; reciprocity; openness for 

different goals; and openness for different research methods and paradigms) and two 

fundamental qualities (symmetry and transparency). The desiderata reflect ethically problematic 

practices, such as the use of citizens by academic scientists as mere sensors, and biases in the 

existing literature, such as labelling the projects that are initiated and led by citizens as “extreme”. 

The desiderata are supported by two ethical theories: care ethics and the capabilities approach. 

The aim of our ethical framework is to stimulate and facilitate reflection upon what needs to be 

considered when co-creating or assessing a citizen science initiative. Fundamentally, citizen 

science ought to be a humanizing endeavour unlocking the investigative capacities of humans. 

The ethical framework is meant to help reflect on this endeavour. 

},

keywords = {Capabilities approach, care ethics, citizen science, health, Justice, participation},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}