Understanding the Drivers and Constraints to Participation in Citizen Science Programs in Uganda

Abstract

Citizen science (CS) has gained recognition as a useful tool for monitoring and facilitating sustainable development transitions. However, CS initiatives are only emerging in the Global South, leaving many unknowns, like the factors influencing participation. This article contributes to the literature by examining the factors driving and limiting participation in two CS networks established in Uganda: Action Towards Reducing Aquatic Parasitic diseases (ATRAP), which monitored freshwater snails; and the Geo-observer (GO), which monitored natural hazards. Building on the theory of planned behaviour and the volunteer functions inventory, a questionnaire was administered to the participating individuals or citizen scientists and a control group that consisted of candidate citizen scientists, through group and individual interview settings. Motivations for participation were strikingly similar across the CS networks, respondent groups, and interview settings. The main drivers for participation were the desire to gain new skills and knowledge (understanding) and contribute to the community’s well-being (values), while the influence of others (social) and opinions or expectations of significant others (subjective norms) played lesser roles. Although the control group in both networks consistently expressed higher levels of positive responses, the importance of the motivational factors generally declined in both respondent groups over time. Financial compensation and favorable working conditions, like flexibility, contributed to sustained participation among the citizen scientists, while the major barriers to participation embodied external and internal factors, like bad weather and sickness. This study provides valuable insights to guide future CS recruitment initiatives toward alignment with the aspirations of individuals in similar contexts.