Welcome to the Newsletter that Matters!
Science For Change
We promote collaborative science. We boost change with citizens. #CitizenScience
Here you can keep up to date with everything that's happening at SFC and stay current with what's new in the citizen science sector.
The time for change is here!
What's been going on
Citizen science for the preservation of quiet areas in cities
SFC has been on the program “Ciència amb tu” to talk about the SoundCollect project and how we can all collaborate in the preservation of urban quiet areas.
Transforming 21st century libraries as spaces for the amplification of citizen science
SFC has participated in the 76th issue of the magazine "Item", dedicated to citizen science. The article offers a complete overview of the current state of citizen science, with a special focus on libraries as transcultural and intergenerational spaces, acting as amplifiers of citizen science.
Upcoming events
Soundwalking sessions with SoundCollect in Manresa
Don't miss the next SoundCollect sessions, where we will test and build collaboratively sound maps with the citizen science app.
The sessions will take place at the Col·legi d'Enginyers Tècnics Industrials de Manresa (Plana de l’Om, 6, 2n 5a – 08241 Manresa). It is not mandatory to attend all three sessions.
The interview of the month
- What is your career path and how did you come to SFC?
I always had a lot of interest in people, in human beings in general, so I studied psychology. My goal was to be able to work in something that would allow me to do my bit to help people and make this world a better place. I trained in neuropsychology and worked for a few years as a neuropsychologist. This also allowed me to learn a lot about other disciplines and work side by side with other health professionals. After that I travelled for a long time, these trips taught me a lot about myself and about other cultures. After a few years I decided that I wanted to go back to professional life and that's how I came to Science For Change.
The company's mission and commitment to citizens were two key aspects that motivated me to join the team of changers.
- What is your role in the company, what projects are you currently working on at SFC and what are their goals?
I work in the design, management and development of projects and activities related to health, social and community.
I am currently working on several projects. I work on the qualitative study on digital divides in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat. The aim of this project is to carry out a qualitative study in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat using participatory methodologies to delve into the realities of various vulnerable groups in relation to digital divides and to co-design proposals for action that address the digital inequalities identified, promoting an inclusive and collaborative approach in the search for solutions.
I am also part of a European project called IMPETUS, whose objective is to give support and recognition to citizen science, allowing a greater variety of initiatives to access funding and training. The aim is to bring citizen science closer to society and decision-makers, as well as to recognise its role in solving the greatest challenges of our times.
In addition, I work on the GOLIAT project, which aims to monitor exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF), particularly from 5G, provide new perspectives on their potential causal effects on health, and understand how exposures and risks are better perceived and communicated through citizen participation.
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Finally, I have also been involved in the project "OdourCollect and the elderly: digitizing and co-creating our olfactory memory". This project has just recently ended, its objective was to bring citizen science closer to the group of older people, facilitate their access to Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and promote their participation in scientific dissemination activities. The project gives a voice to a group normally far from research and science, encouraging these people's interest in ICTs, their active participation in real scientific research on odour pollution and outreach activities to explore the collective memory of the past through odours and art.
- How would you define your day-to-day at SFC in three words and what do you like the most about your job?
I would define it as: dynamic, interesting and different. I like that I never get bored, since each project is very different and all of them allow me to learn new things. Furthermore, I also like the human group that has been formed at SFC very much.
- What important learnings have you gained while working on Science For Change?
During my time at Science For Change, I have learned a lot about project management, which allowed me to get better at planning, coordinating, and executing efficiently. Also about teamwork, both with people within the organization and with external collaborators. In addition, I acquired the ability to adapt quickly to changing situations and solve problems creatively, which is essential to advancing projects and meeting objectives.
- Could you share one of your most significant projects at SFC and how it impacted the community or field of work?
One of the projects I have liked working on the most is the digital divide that I mentioned before. In an increasingly digitalised world, initiatives of this type promote the inclusion of vulnerable groups in an active way and attending to their specific needs.
- How do you think SFC is contributing to society?
I think that in order to contribute to generating positive changes in today's world, it is key to include the point of view of the people affected and generate solutions from these places. And this is something that SFC does in each of their projects, which is very valuable.
- How do you imagine SFC in the not-too-distant future?
I imagine SFC growing and consolidating its work with citizen science. In the near future, I think it will have more projects and collaborations with different organizations, achieving a greater impact on society. In addition, I see SFC engaging more people and communities, helping to make citizen science more accessible and recognised.
Interesting content
Editorial: Bridging citizen science and science communication
Don't miss this new article, in which multiple co-authors discuss the synergies, opportunities, gaps and current challenges of integrating citizen science and scientific communication as methods to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and progress.
SFC's participation in the radio to talk about OdourCollect
Listen to the Cadena SER radio program "La Ventana". During the program, Rosa Arias, CEO and Founder of Science For Change, and creator of the citizen science app OdourCollect, talks about the world of odours and odour pollution. How can odour pollution be measured and mapped? Go to minute 6, we'll tell you everything about it!
Did you know...?
The D-NOSES project and the citizen science app OdourCollect have received an honorary mention in the European Union Prize for Citizen Science 2024. This award honours, presents and supports projects that stand out for their social and political impact, contributing to the development of a pluralistic, inclusive and sustainable society in Europe.
The awards ceremony will be on September 5, during the "Ars Electronica Festival", in Linz, Austria.