Citizen science-informed co-design: community devised technologies for sustainability awareness

This dissertation investigates the intersection of Citizen Science, sustainability, and technological innovation, emphasizing the co-design of interactive digital tools to foster sustainability awareness. Framed within participatory methodologies, it examines how Citizen Science democratizes knowledge, engages diverse age groups, and aims to encourage sustainable behaviors and civic participation. Leveraging Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) principles, the study integrates tools like serious games and digital platforms to enhance education and community involvement. Through four case studies— GameOn!, CitizER Science in action, AlmAware, and Adrinclusive— this work examines the role of co-design in democratizing technology and fostering active engagement. Each initiative highlights the interplay between Citizen Science, co-design, and HCI, demonstrating how these frameworks empower users to co-create solutions while cultivating ownership and agency. Employing workshops, iterative prototyping, and mixed-method evaluations, the PhD Thesis underscores the effectiveness of these processes in fostering community-driven innovation. This research offers a nuanced framework for Citizen Science-informed co-design, emphasizing its capacity to merge diverse perspectives and foster practical, creative solutions for technological innovation for sustainability awareness. By engaging four cohorts as main actors in the design processes, this dissertation investigates the benefits of Citizen Science-informed co-design of interactive digital tools for addressing complex challenges ranging from ecological challenges to inclusive and sustainable tourism.