Citizen Science - A Study of People, Expertise and Sustainable Development (Hardcover)

In this text, the difficult relationship between science, society and the environment is explored. Drawing upon sociological studies of scientific knowledge and of the "risk society", the author argues that "sustainable development" will not be possible without attention to questions of citizenship and citizen knowledge. Building upon a critical discussion of the relationship between science and environmental policy-making, he considers the existence of more "contextual" forms of knowledge and understanding. Irwin suggests that both environmental policy and environmental understanding need to be informed by such expertise. Irwin discusses the relationship between scientific understanding and the different ways in which people "make sense" of environmental concerns. In conclusion, the book considers the practical possibilities for sustainable development which emerge as a consequence.