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Title: Broadening Participation: 21st Century Opportunities for Amateurs in Biology Research
Synopsis The modern field of biology has its roots in the curiosity and skill of amateur researchers and has never been purely the domain of professionals. Today, professionals and amateurs contribute to biology research, working both together and independently. Well-targeted and holistic investment in amateur biology research could bring a range of benefits that, in addition to positive societal benefits, may help to address the considerable challenges facing our planet in the 21st century. We highlight how recent advances in amateur biology have been facilitated by innovations in digital infrastructure as well as the development of community biology laboratories, launched over the last decade, and we provide recommendations for how individuals can support the integration of amateurs into biology research. The benefits of investment in amateur biology research could be many-fold, however, without a clear consideration of equity, efforts to promote amateur biology could exacerbate structural inequalities around access to and benefits from STEM. The future of the field of biology relies on integrating a diversity of perspectives and approaches—amateur biology researchers have an important role to play.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1703048 2033263
PAR ID:
10341367
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ;
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Integrative and Comparative Biology
Volume:
61
Issue:
6
ISSN:
1540-7063
Page Range / eLocation ID:
2294 to 2305
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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