Abstract View
Engaging Residents in Community Science to Address Air and Noise Pollution Exposure
MARISA WESTBROOK, Nicholas Clements, Esther Sullivan, University of Colorado Denver
Abstract Number: 469
Working Group: Translating Aerosol Research for Societal Impact: Science Communication and Public Outreach
Abstract
Low-income communities of color are disproportionately subject to environmental injustice and inequity. Historically marginalized neighborhoods suffer the negative environmental impacts of major construction projects - including noise and air pollution, traffic disruption, and individual and community health effects. Many such urban communities criticize academic researchers for their lack of engagement beyond the extraction of data and for their failure to translate research findings into knowledge, solutions, and practical changes for impacted communities. Community science has emerged as a popular method for engaging residents throughout the research process. This research project applies community science to aerosol exposure research within three geographically-adjacent communities in Denver, Colorado - recently assessed as the most polluted in the United States - to understand and help mitigate disruption and air pollution emissions from two major construction projects. Through a phased process of engaging with local community organizations, facilitating focus groups with community members, and implementing a field study, we seek to gather and integrate resident input into the process of monitoring and mitigating air pollution in their community through a smartphone app, surveys and environmental sensors. Through this study, we ask: a) what are the primary barriers to aerosol research and science, data, and technology literacy for the community, b) what are the key contradictions between the needs of a community-based aerosol study and the wishes of community members, and c) how can social science principles contribute to communicating science and ensuring equity in the scientific process? Our research findings point to a sample of approaches and tools that academics can employ for equally beneficial community partnerships to ensure that environmental justice research projects are successful and that aerosol research findings are accessible and useful in advancing environmental justice.