Abstract

Global citizen science platforms open up participation in science to many people across the world. However, they frame participation around producing data for professional scientists. This raises the question of whether and how global citizen science affects epistemic diversity in scientific research. I address this question using a case study of the global birdwatching platform eBird as it has been taken up in India. Based on results from a qualitative empirical study, I argue that eBird does provide some opportunities for the diverse and local interests, needs, and practices of birdwatchers to impact on the generation of scientific knowledge about birds. Global citizen science therefore can to some extent increase epistemic diversity.