Is citizen science queering science? An exploration of the personal dimensions of engaging LGBTQ+ citizen science volunteers

Abstract

ABSTRACT Citizen science, a field and practice that commonly involves ‘non experts’ engaging in scientific activities, is an avenue of science engagement that commonly results in increased scientific knowledge, literacy, and skills for the volunteers that participate. In recent years there have been increasing efforts to better understand the myriad outcomes for participants including how personal dimensions of these citizen science volunteers, such as their identities, background, cultures, and experiences, contribute to their relationships with citizen science as well as the broader field of STEM. While previous studies have acknowledged the lack of demographic diversity in terms of gender, race/ethnicity, education, and socioeconomic status, there remains little record of the sexual orientation and/or gender identity of citizen science volunteers. The aim of this study was to understand the personal dimensions of engaging LGBTQ+ volunteers in citizen science including the relationships between their queer and science identities. Based on the perspectives and experiences of 14 LGBTQ+ citizen science volunteers as shared in semi-structured interviews, this article suggests that citizen science practitioners have the potential to reduce barriers faced by queer citizen science volunteers by taking actions and enacting strategies that welcome, respect, involve, and retain LGBTQ+ participants.