EPA Research Partner Support Story: Improving the value of participatory science data in environmental decisions
Partner: Environmental Council of the States (ECOS), E-Enterprise Leadership Council (EELC), Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL)
Challenge: Effectively using participatory science data in environmental decisions
Resource: Methods for using community and citizen science in EPA, state and Tribal environmental programs
Project Period: 2019 – Present
Participatory science is the involvement of the public in the scientific process, often in collaboration with professional scientists and institutions. It uses the collective strength of communities and the public to identify research questions, collect and analyze data, interpret results, make new discoveries, and develop technologies and applications to understand and solve problems. Often referred to as citizen or community science, EPA transitioned to the term “participatory science” in June 2022 to represent the most inclusive and accessible involvement of the public in the scientific process, especially for those who have been historically underrepresented in the field.
“State agencies appreciate working with EPA ORD on these community and citizen science case studies to increase effectiveness in gathering reliable air and water data to fill information gaps, monitor environmental changes, and assist in understanding conditions in underserved areas." – ECOS Executive Director Ben Grumbles (former Secretary of the Maryland Department of the Environment)
In October 2020, the Environmental Law Institute (ELI) released a report, supported by EPA, that highlights ways that participatory science is being adopted by state and Tribal environmental programs. The report includes case studies, best practices, and recommendations for EPA.
In 2021, EPA and Tribal members of the EELC prepared a Tribal participatory science paper that contains eight case studies, an overview of lessons learned, and recommendations for how EPA and other organizations can better support Tribal participatory science.
Also in 2021, EPA continued analysis and support of Tribal participatory science, and outreach and training opportunities with APHL and ELI with the announcement of EPA’s Quality Assurance Handbook and Toolkit for Participatory Science. The Toolkit includes fact sheets, infographics, and on-line training video modules. A plain language orientation guide was developed to explain how to design participatory science projects so data collected can contribute to environmental decisions, including information on potential roles for state, Tribal, and local agencies to provide technical support and advice.
EPA held an interactive, multi-stakeholder workshop in 2021, co-sponsored with EELC, on improving data management for participatory science projects. An invited group of state, Tribal and EPA staff, as well as academic and NGO experts, discussed data management actions that support increased use of participatory science data in decision-making.
In June 2022, EPA issued the vision for participatory science. It describes EPA’s vision for the strategic use of participatory science approaches in EPA’s work. It will help guide EPA in the use of participatory science to increase the types and amount of data brought forth to inform scientific research, to enhance public engagement and understanding, and to take actions to investigate and mitigate environmental problems.
In March 2023, EPA issued the Participatory Science Policy Guidelines and Checklist to help EPA staff and managers understand key requirements and design considerations for participatory science projects carried out by EPA. This document identifies existing policies that may be relevant to participatory science activities within EPA, including topics such as working with communities, citizen science statutory authorities, information quality guidelines, formal agreements, and many other legal and administrative requirements.
Also in 2023, in collaboration with the EELC, EPA hosted a “learn and share” meeting with states and Tribes to explore approaches to integrating and using data generated by volunteer scientists. During this exploratory meeting, attendees listened to four state case studies that examined how water and air data are used and then engaged in a discussion about best practices and lessons learned.
This year, EPA is working with the EELC to develop a strategy to improve the management and use of participatory science at EPA.
For more information visit:
- EPA’s Participatory Science website
- StoryMap featuring examples of how EPA uses participatory science