|
Project properties |
|
| Title | Citizen science in uMngeni Catchment (South Africa) |
| Group | Water Resources Management group |
| Project type | thesis |
| Credits | 36 |
| Supervisor(s) | Alex Bolding |
| Examiner(s) | |
| Contact info | Alex Bolding (alex.bolding@wur.nl, Lumen, room B043) |
| Begin date | 2023/09/01 |
| End date | 2024/12/31 |
| Description | Country: South Africa (Pietermaritzburg)
Host institute: Duzi-uMngeni Conservation Trust (DUCT), Blue Deal South Africa & GroundTruth Monitoring water can no longer be the domain of scientists alone. In this regard citizen science is proving a popular human mobilising activity. Mobilising communities in a meaningful, engaged way, needs to go far beyond awareness raising. In this regard 10 citizen science tools have been developed by the Water Research Commission (WRC) in South Africa and these are being widely used by members of the public to engage with local water related issues. These tools and how they are used could be strengthened greatly. NGO Duzi-uMngeni Conservation Trust (DUCT) and an environmental consultancy company GroundTruth (www.groundtruth.co.za) are working on the topic of citizen-science in Pietermaritzburg and the uMngeni catchment. Besides DUCT and GroundTruth, the Blue Deal South Africa is also initiator of this research. In the Blue Deal South Africa Programme South African Water Institutions work together with the Dutch Water Authorities. It is part of the Dutch Blue Deal (2018– 2030). This is a programme to support water management worldwide by exchanging knowledge and experiences, assist the national, regional and local organisations and cooperate with key stakeholders. The Blue Deal South Africa Programme will specifically contribute to clean and sufficient water. Citizen science does have several touchpoints with local initiatives and collaborations in the uMngeni catchment. The Waterflag initiative signifies a voluntary disclosure by a site (Industry/Government/ NGO’s) regarding selected water related activities at the site. It’s goal is to improve the quality of the Msunduzi River (www.dws.gov.za/Bluedeal). The Enviro Champs are usually unemployed persons, who work for the common-good. Such people are usually community-spirited and seek to care for, and uplift their local communities, in township contexts. This work includes identifying environmental challenges in the townships and working with the authorities to address and over-come them. Another area of citizen science is related to the Stream Assessment Scoring System (miniSASS) now acknowledged by the UN globally as a contributor to SDG 6.3.2 and SDG 6B. To what extent is biomonitoring being applied in the Netherlands and how can synergies of cooperation be strengthened in such South-North and North-South partnerships. These are several examples, although DUCT and Ground Truth have even more tools and initiatives on citizen-science. An important question is how to perform citizen science with people and not on people. Therefore co-engaged citizen science and co-participative research becomes important for meaningful participation. The citizen science can be an empowering tool for the experts and the governments but how can it be strengthened for the general public and the water users themselves? The initiators of this research want to deepen the knowledge of how citizen science can be beneficial and an empowering tool for the local water users. We look for candidates specialized in integrated water resource management, citizen-science and interested in field work. Some logistical and financial support for accommodation and traveling is on offer. |
| Used skills | |
| Requirements | |