Media Advisory - With scientists under attack, citizen scientists respond

Journalism students at Western University explore citizen science in new series on rabble.ca

TORONTO, April 17, 2013 /CNW/ - At a time when many scientists argue they are being muzzled by the federal government, citizen science is on the rise. With the help of journalism students from Western University, media sites rabble.ca and The Tyee are putting citizen science under the microscope. Citizen science is a growing movement in many countries.  It is made up of projects where ordinary people help contribute to scientific work.

Journalism students at Western University have spent the last two months researching what it means to be a citizen scientist, tracking down both citizen and professional scientists around the world, gathering data and putting together features exploring this phenomena. These stories, combining print and multimedia, will be presented, beginning this week, in a seven part series simultaneously featured on rabble.ca and on The Tyee.

"Sometimes scientists don't have the time or resources to work with large groups," explained Western Online Journalism instructor and rabble.ca board director Wayne MacPhail. "Citizen scientists help collect data to be analyzed by professional researchers and vice versa."

"As an online media site," said rabble.ca editor Derrick O'Keefe, "the role of the Internet and social media in the rise of citizen science is particularly intriguing."

The series will run from April 17 to May 1.

rabble.ca is Canada's most popular source of independent news and views, and features original news, opinion, book reviews, podcasts and live and pre-recorded video exploring issues facing Canadians. rabble.ca will mark 12 years of providing 100 per cent free news content to Canadians on April 18, 2013.

SOURCE: rabble.ca

CONTACT:
Western Online Journalism instructor and rabble.ca board director for emerging media, Wayne MacPhail, [email protected] or 905 979-7019.

rabble.ca editor, Derrick O'Keefe, [email protected] or 604-803-6927

Western University student Ryan Mallough: [phone] OR [email protected]