Citizen science and local and traditional knowledge in scientific research

an integrative literature review

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18617/liinc.v21i2.7875

Keywords:

citizen science, local knowledge, traditional knowledge, co-production of knowledge

Abstract

This article analyzes how citizen science has promoted the appreciation and integration of local and traditional knowledge in scientific production. Based on an integrative review of the Web of Science and Scopus databases, 21 articles published between 2002 and 2025 on experiences with populations in socio-environmental vulnerability, small farmers, indigenous peoples, and traditional communities were identified. The results indicate that projects anchored in participation and co-authorship strengthen community protagonism and epistemic autonomy, destabilize colonial hierarchies of knowledge, and point to citizen science as a path for the plural co-production of knowledge. It concludes that, guided by co-responsibility and dialogue between rationalities, citizen science constitutes a promising path to broaden the equality of knowledge and challenge persistent hierarchies in contemporary modes of knowledge production.

Author Biographies

  • Diny Gabrielly de Miranda Martins, Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA). Departamento de Administração e Economia (DAE). Lavras, MG, Brasil.

    Mestra em Administração Pública pela Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA), Brasil. Doutoranda do  Programa de Pós-Graduação em Administração da Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA), Lavras, Brasil - Departamento de Administração e Economia (DAE).

  • Eloisa Helena de Souza Cabral , Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA). Departamento de Administração Pública (DAP). Lavras, MG, Brasil.

    Doutora em Ciências Sociais pela Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo, Brasil. Professora permanente/colaboradora da Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA), no Departamento de Administração Pública (DAP), Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA), Lavras, Brasil

  • José de Arimatéia Dias Valadão , Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA), Departamento de Administração Pública (DAP). Lavras, MG, Brasil.

    Doutor em Administração pela Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, UFPE, Brasil. Professor Associado da Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA), no Departamento de Administração Pública (DAP), Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA), Lavras, Brasil

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Published

05/06/2026

Issue

Vol. 21 No. 2 (2025): Multilateralism and International Cooperation in Addressing the Ethical Dilemmas of Data Capitalism: Perspectives and Outcomes

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Copyright (c) 2025 Diny Gabrielly de Miranda Martins, Eloisa Helena de Souza Cabral , José de Arimatéia Dias Valadão

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