From a Seismological Network to a Socio-Seismological One: A Citizen Science Experiment in Haïti to Reduce Seismic Risk: Analysis of a “Small Box” that Can Do a Lot
On January 12, 2010, Haiti was hit by one of the largest seismic disasters known to date. At the time, the culture and perception of seismic risk was low among the population and—because of the lack of seismic sensors in Haiti—so was seismological knowledge. In a citizen seismology approach, the S2R...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Ubiquity Press
2023-01-01
|
| Series: | Citizen Science: Theory and Practice |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://theoryandpractice.citizenscienceassociation.org/articles/481 |
| _version_ | 1811173029346017280 |
|---|---|
| author | Alice Corbet Laure Fallou Nixon Calixte Laennec Hurbon Eric Calais |
| author_facet | Alice Corbet Laure Fallou Nixon Calixte Laennec Hurbon Eric Calais |
| author_sort | Alice Corbet |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | On January 12, 2010, Haiti was hit by one of the largest seismic disasters known to date. At the time, the culture and perception of seismic risk was low among the population and—because of the lack of seismic sensors in Haiti—so was seismological knowledge. In a citizen seismology approach, the S2RHAI project used low-cost seismic sensors (Raspberry Shake) to (1) complement the national seismic network and (2) to improve risk perception, preparedness, and scientific knowledge of the population. Through these objectives, we introduce a paradigm shift in which seismic networks are not only composed of sensors, but also of citizens who gather around these tools and the information they produce. We present here the results of a qualitative survey of 15 Raspberry Shake (RS) seismometer hosts in Haiti. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to learn about users’ experience to assess their motivations, difficulties, and expectations in this citizen seismology process. We found that RS hosts expressed pride and interest in being part of the RS network and actively contributing to risk reduction in their community. Some of them reported a form of empowerment in that they could compensate for the deficiency of the state, which they generally distrust. However, the RS hosts also expressed the need for more technical and scientific support from scientists. Also, few of them engaged in mediation activities or discussions with their community members, partly because they feared that this would awaken the trauma caused by the earthquake of 12 January, 2010. This allowed us to list concrete actions to (1) improve the seismic information system, (2) better integrate the volunteers into the network, (3) enrich the collaboration between citizens and seismologists, and (4) accompany them in their role as ambassadors to their community. We conclude that understanding the motivations, obstacles, and expectations of volunteers is essential to increase the chances of sustainability of this citizen seismology project. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T17:41:17Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9aedc62886c34f0a9416627381ce9252 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2057-4991 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T17:41:17Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | Ubiquity Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Citizen Science: Theory and Practice |
| spelling | doaj.art-9aedc62886c34f0a9416627381ce92522023-02-03T14:00:48ZengUbiquity PressCitizen Science: Theory and Practice2057-49912023-01-018110.5334/cstp.481192From a Seismological Network to a Socio-Seismological One: A Citizen Science Experiment in Haïti to Reduce Seismic Risk: Analysis of a “Small Box” that Can Do a LotAlice Corbet0Laure Fallou1Nixon Calixte2Laennec Hurbon3Eric Calais4CNRSEMSCUEH,CNRSIRD,On January 12, 2010, Haiti was hit by one of the largest seismic disasters known to date. At the time, the culture and perception of seismic risk was low among the population and—because of the lack of seismic sensors in Haiti—so was seismological knowledge. In a citizen seismology approach, the S2RHAI project used low-cost seismic sensors (Raspberry Shake) to (1) complement the national seismic network and (2) to improve risk perception, preparedness, and scientific knowledge of the population. Through these objectives, we introduce a paradigm shift in which seismic networks are not only composed of sensors, but also of citizens who gather around these tools and the information they produce. We present here the results of a qualitative survey of 15 Raspberry Shake (RS) seismometer hosts in Haiti. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to learn about users’ experience to assess their motivations, difficulties, and expectations in this citizen seismology process. We found that RS hosts expressed pride and interest in being part of the RS network and actively contributing to risk reduction in their community. Some of them reported a form of empowerment in that they could compensate for the deficiency of the state, which they generally distrust. However, the RS hosts also expressed the need for more technical and scientific support from scientists. Also, few of them engaged in mediation activities or discussions with their community members, partly because they feared that this would awaken the trauma caused by the earthquake of 12 January, 2010. This allowed us to list concrete actions to (1) improve the seismic information system, (2) better integrate the volunteers into the network, (3) enrich the collaboration between citizens and seismologists, and (4) accompany them in their role as ambassadors to their community. We conclude that understanding the motivations, obstacles, and expectations of volunteers is essential to increase the chances of sustainability of this citizen seismology project.https://theoryandpractice.citizenscienceassociation.org/articles/481haitiraspberry shake seismological networkcitizen scienceseismologyrisk awarenessempowerment |
| spellingShingle | Alice Corbet Laure Fallou Nixon Calixte Laennec Hurbon Eric Calais From a Seismological Network to a Socio-Seismological One: A Citizen Science Experiment in Haïti to Reduce Seismic Risk: Analysis of a “Small Box” that Can Do a Lot Citizen Science: Theory and Practice haiti raspberry shake seismological network citizen science seismology risk awareness empowerment |
| title | From a Seismological Network to a Socio-Seismological One: A Citizen Science Experiment in Haïti to Reduce Seismic Risk: Analysis of a “Small Box” that Can Do a Lot |
| title_full | From a Seismological Network to a Socio-Seismological One: A Citizen Science Experiment in Haïti to Reduce Seismic Risk: Analysis of a “Small Box” that Can Do a Lot |
| title_fullStr | From a Seismological Network to a Socio-Seismological One: A Citizen Science Experiment in Haïti to Reduce Seismic Risk: Analysis of a “Small Box” that Can Do a Lot |
| title_full_unstemmed | From a Seismological Network to a Socio-Seismological One: A Citizen Science Experiment in Haïti to Reduce Seismic Risk: Analysis of a “Small Box” that Can Do a Lot |
| title_short | From a Seismological Network to a Socio-Seismological One: A Citizen Science Experiment in Haïti to Reduce Seismic Risk: Analysis of a “Small Box” that Can Do a Lot |
| title_sort | from a seismological network to a socio seismological one a citizen science experiment in haiti to reduce seismic risk analysis of a small box that can do a lot |
| topic | haiti raspberry shake seismological network citizen science seismology risk awareness empowerment |
| url | https://theoryandpractice.citizenscienceassociation.org/articles/481 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT alicecorbet fromaseismologicalnetworktoasocioseismologicaloneacitizenscienceexperimentinhaititoreduceseismicriskanalysisofasmallboxthatcandoalot AT laurefallou fromaseismologicalnetworktoasocioseismologicaloneacitizenscienceexperimentinhaititoreduceseismicriskanalysisofasmallboxthatcandoalot AT nixoncalixte fromaseismologicalnetworktoasocioseismologicaloneacitizenscienceexperimentinhaititoreduceseismicriskanalysisofasmallboxthatcandoalot AT laennechurbon fromaseismologicalnetworktoasocioseismologicaloneacitizenscienceexperimentinhaititoreduceseismicriskanalysisofasmallboxthatcandoalot AT ericcalais fromaseismologicalnetworktoasocioseismologicaloneacitizenscienceexperimentinhaititoreduceseismicriskanalysisofasmallboxthatcandoalot |