Description
- Abstract:
- Many people in the United States feel disconnected from the scientific process. With climate change leading to more environmental extremes, the public wants to both understand the science and be informed about how to protect their health. While many scientific outlets provide public-facing information, most scientific studies treat the public as participants, not as collaborators. The Breathe Providence project is a hyperlocal air monitoring study in Providence, Rhode Island. The air monitoring network focuses on areas of the city where asthma rates are elevated and air quality data has historically been very limited. In addition to monitoring common air pollutants, the project has participated in collaborative data generation with residents. The collaborative data collection focused on the issue of noxious odors, which residents associate with pollution and harm. Through a variety of methods and materials, we encouraged residents to document their air pollution experiences. We will present findings from the residents and how this has influenced investigations of the air pollutant data. We will also share knowledge gained from workshops done within the community to educate and engage a variety of audiences. Data collection methods included using an app called Smell My City, which allowed residents to report when they encountered odors, what they smelled like, and any associated health symptoms. Another method was the creation of a “Smellage” to visually represent sources and locations of noxious odors. Other activities included a DIY air filter outreach event and experiments using handheld air monitors. Ultimately, our work is dedicated to raising awareness of solutions that meet residents’ concerns based on a reciprocal research process that incorporates residents’ data into the scientific process.
- Notes:
- Funding provided by Clean Air Fund
Access Conditions
- Use and Reproduction
- All rights reserved
- Rights
- In Copyright
- Restrictions on Use
- All Rights Reserved
Citation
Asiah Donahue,
"Incorporating Lived Experience from Residents of Providence, Rhode Island into the Scientific Method"
(2024).
The Leadership Alliance Digital Library, Breathe Providence Digital Collection, Summer Research Symposium.
Brown Digital Repository. Brown University Library.
https://doi.org/10.26300/ay2p-e832
Relations
Collections:
-
The Leadership Alliance Digital Library
A collection of research presentations and posters created by students participating in the Leadership Alliance's Summer Research - Early Identification Program....When using this resource, please cite the digital object identifier (DOI) for the specific resource as well as the …
-
Breathe Providence Digital Collection
This collection holds research and engagement materials for Breathe Providence, a community-focused air monitoring network in Providence, Rhode Island based at Brown University. The monitors continuously measure concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO₂), nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), ozone (O₃), …... -
Summer Research Symposium
Each year, Brown University showcases the research of its undergraduates at the Summer Research Symposium. More than half of the student-researchers are UTRA recipients, while others receive funding from a variety of Brown-administered and national programs and fellowships and go …...