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Citizens or Consumers? Air Quality Sensor Users and Their Involvement in Sensor.Community. Results from Qualitative Case Study

Author

Listed:
  • Michał Wróblewski

    (Department of Philosophy and Social Sciences, Faculty of Sociology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 87-100 Toruń, Poland)

  • Joanna Suchomska

    (Department of Philosophy and Social Sciences, Faculty of Sociology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 87-100 Toruń, Poland)

  • Katarzyna Tamborska

    (Department of Philosophy and Social Sciences, Faculty of Sociology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 87-100 Toruń, Poland)

Abstract

This article presents the results of the qualitative research conducted on Polish users of the Sensor.Community network. Different types of motivation behind the decision to engage in the collection of air quality data are discussed. Users’ motives have been found to result predominantly from the concern for the health and safety of their loved ones, as well as the need to control air quality (and ultimately the quality of life) in their immediate environment (home and neighbourhood). Users do not display civic behaviour such as working for the local community. Three factors have been proposed to explain this status quo. First, the motives related to health and safety, as opposed to motives behind seeking a resolution to an environmental problem at the local level, may contribute to the solidification of individualistic attitudes. Second, Sensor.Community is organised in a way that does not promote a greater involvement from the network organisers in the development of the initiative and retention of users. Instead, the network focuses predominantly on the technical aspects of operation. Third, users have no sense of agency as, in our opinion, they remain largely unaware of the value of the data they collect.

Suggested Citation

  • Michał Wróblewski & Joanna Suchomska & Katarzyna Tamborska, 2021. "Citizens or Consumers? Air Quality Sensor Users and Their Involvement in Sensor.Community. Results from Qualitative Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-15, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:20:p:11406-:d:657282
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sauermann, Henry & Vohland, Katrin & Antoniou, Vyron & Balázs, Bálint & Göbel, Claudia & Karatzas, Kostas & Mooney, Peter & Perelló, Josep & Ponti, Marisa & Samson, Roeland & Winter, Silvia, 2020. "Citizen science and sustainability transitions," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(5).
    2. Aisling Irwin, 2018. "No PhDs needed: how citizen science is transforming research," Nature, Nature, vol. 562(7728), pages 480-482, October.
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