Civically Engaged Research

Erica's project will install two CoastSnap stations in the Dublin Bay Biosphere Reserve (DBBR). CoastSnap is a global citizen science project that aims to track coastal changes over time. The project is run via an app which allows the public to participate in coastal monitoring by uploading smartphone images from a fixed point. The data that is collected from these images can be used in multiple ways, namely, to help us better understand the dynamic processes of an area, risks of erosion and how it may be altered in the future.

Coastal communities in Ireland have voiced their concerns on climate impacts in recent years, and this project will allow them to assist with data collection for monitoring the changing coastlines and future policy making. To gain further benefits from this civic engagement project, a QR code linked to a survey will be at both stations. This survey will collect demographics of participants and allow us to better understand how the public utilises DBBR from a cultural ecosystem service viewpoint (i.e. leisure, sport, birdwatching, spiritual, etc.) or what areas could be improved upon so that citizens feel more engaged and connected with the coastal environment.

Furthermore, partnering with local secondary schools, undergraduate courses across Trinity, and local groups including CoastWatch, Clean Coasts, Irish Ocean Literacy Network, and Dublin Community Environmental Network will provide multiple opportunities for citizens across a wide age range and background to be involved in a larger community project with future implications for policy making and coastal monitoring research.