Vulnerable demographics can have a restricted access to participating in Science. With the rise of Citizen Science projects, more and more citizens get to understand the ‘behind the scenes’ of data collection and monitoring of varied issues. When it comes to air pollution, however, there can be a gap information relating to the adverse health impact that poor air can have on people, and particularly vulnerable demographics.
With the InSPIRES (Ingenious Science shops to promote Participatory Innovation, Research and Equity in Science) project, Mapping for Change partners with DRAXIS to engage a community of vulnerable people to raise awareness and increase knowledge about air pollution, air quality and air quality monitoring. Originally, the InSPIRES project aimed to engage elderly people to give them the opportunity to monitor their home’s air quality. For safety reasons following the outbreak of COVID-19, the project re-centered around engaging other demographics who would benefit from learning more about air pollution and its health effects.
As part of InSPIRES, participants will have access to accessible and interactive air quality sensors which display real-time measurements. These measurements will be displayed online on the interactive platform HackAIR, and made available to all participants.
Our Role
Mapping for Change will be tying in the InSPIRES project with Planting Healthy Air, and will be working with pupils and their parents to raise awareness on air quality both at school and at home. Pupils and parents will have the opportunity to monitor particulate matter (PM) concentration over a period of 3 months. In partnership with Trees for Cities, Mapping for Change will work along children and parents to answer a set of research questions, get an idea of the air pollution levels at school and at home, and visualize air quality measurements over time, during a series of online workshops.
Our partners
DRAXIS is a company which specializes in the production of ICTs solutions for environmental issues. Trees for Cities is a UK charity which works to improve lives by planting trees in cities. Dr Kirsti Ashworth, Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University is an expert in how the use of our land impacts on air quality. The four schools we are working with are: St Paul’s CE Primary , Christ Church Bentinck C of E Primary, Tudor and Woolmore Primary
Related Projects
Evaluating People Zones Leicestershire
Through engaging residents in an Asset-Based Community Development Approach, our research for People Zones Leicestershire generated lasting resources which helped identify opportunities for hyper localised community initiatives. Now, we’re returning to evaluate the program’s impact, aiming to provide concrete evidence of its effectiveness in reducing crime and promoting community well-being.
Putting Ourselves on the Map
Mapping for Change in collaboration with the Humanities Education Centre (HEC) and local specialist on learning and ‘place’ Maggie Hewitt, worked with three schools in Tower Hamlets (Columbia School Community Map, Arnhem Wharf School Community Map and John Scurr School Community Map) to pilot a brand new process in which Year 4 pupils develop personalised maps of their local area with their own likes, memories and views on change.
COMENSI - Bridging the gap between adults and civic engagement
An EU project which aims to understand the lack of participation amongst adults, in formal consultations within deprived neighbourhoods. The project aims to understand the reasons for such lack for participation and which tools and strategies could be developed to change it.