Your feedback makes a difference in the field - participate in a study about citizen science in Antarctica now!

Citizen science projects in Antarctica are not possible without the staff who facilitate them in the field (yes, that's you!) Help make them more sustainable by sharing your perspective. 

Who? Chelsea Behymer is a fifth-year Environmental Sciences Ph.D. candidate at Oregon State University whose research centers on community and citizen science in collaborative research contexts. Chelsea has also guided travelers as a naturalist and environmental educator onboard marine tour vessels since 2014; as an Antarctic field staff member, her approach aims to not only add to the limited understanding of the implications of citizen science onboard marine tours in polar regions but support research relevant to practitioners in the field.

Why? Although citizen science has increasingly demonstrated its value to support research objectives identified in marine sciences, we know these collaborative efforts rely on marine tour operators and their staff to facilitate. So, last season, Chelsea interviewed several of you about your experiences (thank you to those who participated!) These conversations highlighted the need to capture a broader range of practitioner perspectives across the diverse range of Antarctic tour operations, field staff experience levels and onboard citizen science program structures. What we learn through additional feedback from more professionals in the field like you could directly benefit your work in the future by informing program design toward more streamlined operations, as well as enhanced scientific and educational outcomes.

How?  To assist in this effort, we hope you will participate in a survey about your perceptions of citizen science incorporated in Antarctic tourism. Click the link button to the right to to fill in a short, ten minute survey.

Confidentiality. No personal identifying information will be recorded by the researcher or shared in future publications. Instead, responses will be coded by your professional affiliation with Antarctica or position title (i.e. guide, citizen science coordinator, operator, etc.). Pseudonyms may be used for contextual detail. You do not have to be in the study if you do not want to. If you decline to participate at any point during the study, this will remain confidential.

Thank you for participating!

Your feedback will inform decision-making about citizen science programs in Antarctic marine tourism.