O cenário acadêmico brasileiro ao aplicar ciência cidadã em pesquisas ecológicas

Abstract

Citizen science is a promising way to strengthen the relationship between academia and society. Although it is becoming popular worldwide, it may not be straightforward to perform it within the current modus operandi of Brazilian institutions for research and higher education in scientist-led projects aimed to promote knowledge for environmental conservation. In this article, we conceptualize ‘citizen science’ and ‘open science’ and we propose thoughts of three scenarios in which Brazilians academics are facing when trying to promote an accessible and inclusive science. Each scenario has its positive and negative aspects for formal researchers (e.g., scientific productivity) as well as for society (e.g., applied knowledge). In order to enhance citizen science, we suggest adjustments within Brazilians institutions regarding the assessment of researchers and ways to optimize research projects of this nature.