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Citizen-science is a blooming field that provides benefits both to citizens - engaging them in research on topics of concern - and scientists, thus enhancing potential for positive societal changes. The roots of the approach go back hundreds of years, when science was not a paid profession (for example, Benjamin Franklin made his living in another profession, and Charles Darwin was not paid for his journey on the HMS Beagle) (1). Benefits of citizen participation in science include not only the data gathered for the project or institution, but also the information received during the process of participation and networking (2).
Today's technological advances, including mobile apps, facilitate the participation of citizens in science. The use of these tools in radiation protection and monitoring is relatively recent, however, and was mostly developed in the aftermath of the Fukushima accident (3) with the Safecast (4) and D-Shuttle projects (5). SHAMISEN SINGS focuses on citizen participation in science in the aftermath of a nuclear accident (particularly during the long-term recovery) through the use of mobile apps and devices.
The SHAMISEN SINGS project...