Citizen Science: Podcast Playlist
As we see the effects of global warming affecting our forests, our oceans and our air we also see a growing disconnect between science and society. In a Post-Truth world, citizen science projects seek to engage citizens in the scientific process by making science more accessible and show its merits. The purpose of this playlist is to show the growing number of people of all ages and educational backgrounds doing science outside the ivory tower to deal with the quality of our air, water, and food; protecting our biodiversity and searching for disease treatments.
By educating themselves in the research, citizen scientists can get involved in setting the agenda of what gets researched and trust the results. As well as understanding the enormous social implications of innovations stemming from cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence, biotechnology and nanotechnology. As my favorite fictional president would say: “Decisions are made by those who show up.”
(This listening list was curated by Cesar, the leader of the Milwaukee chapter of Podcast Brunch Club).
Podcast Listening List on Citizen Science
Download the complete playlist to your podcast player of choice:
Listen Notes | Podchaser
Podcast: TED Radio Hour
Episode: Citizen Science (52 minutes, September 2017)
Listen: Apple Podcasts | Google Play | Other apps (via Podchaser)
We often think that scientific research is reserved for PhDs and other experts. But now that’s changing. This hour, TED speakers on how ordinary citizens are helping make groundbreaking discoveries. Guests include tech entrepreneur Joi Ito, biomedical researcher Sharon Terry, astronomer Tabetha Boyajian, and journalist Mary Ellen Hannibal.
Podcast: Science: Disrupt
Episode: Citizens Disrupt: Episode 4 – Making Science Accessible (42 minutes, October 2018)
Listen: Apple Podcasts | Other apps (via Podchaser)
The final episode of the Citizen Science mini-series zooms out to look at citizen science as a whole, from the different ways that people of all backgrounds can contribute, and some barriers people might face.
Podcast: Think: Sustainability
Episode: #76 – The Age of Citizen Science (20 minutes, November 2017)
Listen: Apple Podcasts | Other apps (via Podchaser)
Citizen scientists and members of the public have done everything from discovering species, to documenting sea temperature changes. Just this year in Australia, an amateur astronomer named Andrew Grey, a mechanic from Darwin, helped scientists discover a whole set of new planets. But why are people like you, donating their time, to help scientists document and discover. And is crowdfunding the scientific method really trustworthy?
Podcast: Prognosis
Episode: How To Build Your Own Artificial Pancreas (26 minutes, November 2018)
Listen: Apple Podcasts | Google Play | Other apps (via Podchaser)
More than a million Americans suffer from Type 1 diabetes. The disease occurs when the pancreas mysteriously stops producing insulin, the hormone that converts food into energy. Modern medicine has been able to recreate insulin, but not the finely calibrated delivery mechanism of the pancreas. Now a group of like-minded do-it-yourselfers have gotten together on the internet and—working outside the purview of organized medicine—have figured out how to link a pump, glucose monitor and smartphone to simulate a functioning pancreas. The results have been spectacularly successful.
Podcast: Science for the People
Episode: #424 Biohacking (Rebroadcast) (60 minutes, June 2017)
Listen: Apple Podcasts | Google Play | Other apps (via Podchaser)
Do-it-yourself biology, and the community labs that are changing the biotech landscape from the grassroots up.
PBC Podcast episodes covering the Citizen Science playlist:
Conversation Starter Questions
Want to add your perspective to the PBC podcast? Answer any of the questions below and send the response (in written or audio format) to [email protected].
- Were you familiar with the term “citizen science”?
- Is a disobedience award something to be encouraged?
- Would you trust d a scientific study that used non-expert citizens to collect data?
- Do you think there is an isolation of knowledge in our society? What do academic institutions need to do to democratize access to science and encourage more diverse perspectives?
- Do you think Citizen Science is a tool to increase science literacy and critical thinking? Can science be a hobby?
- Have you visited SciStarter website? Is there Citizen Science projects in your community?
- Have you ever participated in a citizen science conservation project? Did it increase your interest in the subject?
- What is your opinion in the “right to try” experimental DIY hacks not proven by the FDA?
- Have you been in maker space or DIY bio labs in your community?
- Do you have any ideas that could be fun or useful to do as a DIYbio project like the glowing plants or real vegan cheese projects?
- Are you more worried about biotech experiments done by companies or DIYbio labs?
- What do you think of Heather Dewey-Hagborg’s Stranger Visions? What other artist do you know that use science to produce thought-provoking art?
Other Resources
- Safecast
- Planet Hunters
- SciStarter
- Find a DIYbio local lab
- Open Artificial Pancreas System Project
- Real Vegan Cheese
- The Crowd & The Cloud (a PBS documentary series about citizen science
DJ RuggedAngel’s Music Playlist
Our very own Podcast Brunch Club DJ, DJ Rugged Angel, has put this Spotify music playlist together for us on the theme of Citizen Science.
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