Our Mission

MCSA's mission is to empower and enrich the scientific processes by promoting the active participation of migrants in citizen science. We aim to provide a platform for collaboration between academic and field experts with non-academic scientists/citizens to generate collective knowledge from communities where migrants live, and in some instances, even in their countries of origin. Our organization is dedicated to providing training and education for citizen scientists, facilitating communication and discussions, and promoting an atmosphere of openness and respect to encourage the inclusion of diverse people.

Our Vision

MCSA envisions a future where citizen science is a powerful tool to reevaluate social issues and structures, world views, prevailing facts and data, and methodologies, with migrants' participation in the discourse and knowledge formation. Our goal is to promote an inclusive and diverse form of new knowledge that is less biased and partial, consciously aware of Eurocentric, androcentric, Western-centered, heterosexual, and monolithic values, and culture, which has been produced by white dominance and privilege in traditional science. We envision a world where migrants are active citizens, flourishing, and not left behind in knowledge formation, contributing to developing a more equitable and just society.

Our vision is a world where citizen science is inclusive of diverse communities, including migrants, who have historically been excluded from scientific discourse. We strive to promote a paradigm shift towards a more diverse, inclusive, and collaborative approach to science and society, recognizing the collective contribution of citizens from localities and promoting an atmosphere of openness and respect.

MCSA Core Values

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Empowerment

Empowerment in citizen science refers to the process of enabling marginalized individuals specifically migrants to actively participate in scientific research and decision-making, by recognizing their agency and providing them with the necessary skills, knowledge, and resources to take action and make informed choices.

Fairness

Fairness in citizen science can be objectively defined as ensuring that all individuals and communities have equal opportunities and access to participate in scientific activities, as well as equal representation and recognition of their contributions regardless of their personal characteristics or circumstances.

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Humility

Humility in the context of citizen science refers to the willingness of individuals and organizations to recognize and value the diverse perspectives and knowledge of all researchers and participants, including migrants, in collaborative, evidence-based, and nature-based scientific activities and practices.

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Integration

Integration in citizen science refers to the involvement and collaboration of diverse communities, including migrants, in scientific research and decision-making processes, toward knowledge generation.

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Diversity & Inclusivity

Diversity and inclusivity in citizen science refer to the active involvement and representation of individuals from various backgrounds such as migrants, as the inclusion of diverse perspectives and experiences can lead to a more comprehensive and accurate understanding of scientific issues.

These values are essential for the success of MCSA as an NGO, especially in its pursuit of sustainability and effective communication. Empowerment, respect, and fairness are crucial to ensure that the organization's work aligns with its mission to create positive change in the lives of migrants and society at large. Honesty and integrity help to establish trust between the organization and its stakeholders, including the migrant communities it serves, while integration ensures that MCSA's work is reflected in the different processes and practices.

Humility is vital in acknowledging the limitations of our knowledge and understanding, as well as recognizing the importance of collaboration and partnerships to achieve shared goals. Finally, diversity and inclusivity promote the participation of diverse voices and perspectives in decision-making and communication, which is critical for achieving sustainable solutions that are representative of the communities we serve.

Respect

Respect, in the context of citizen science, refers to treating all researchers (including citizen scientists) and participants, regardless of their background, with dignity, fairness, and cultural sensitivity, while acknowledging and upholding their rights as individuals.

Honesty & Integrity

Honesty in citizen science refers to the act of accurately reporting and disclosing any conflicts of interest, while integrity involves adhering to high ethical standards throughout the scientific process, including data collection, analysis, and reporting, to ensure the credibility and reliability of the scientific results.

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Empathy

Empathy in citizen science embodies the fundamental principle of stepping into the shoes of others. Citizen scientists, who double as both researchers and active contributors, deserve not only recognition for their invaluable input but also the utmost sensitivity in their engagement. Their dedication and passion for advancing scientific knowledge should be met with appreciation and respect, fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment where their diverse perspectives can thrive.

M C S A Goals

Encouraging and supporting migrants to actively participate in scientific research, data collection, analysis, and decision-making processes, focusing on issues that directly affect their lives and communities.
Increasing the representation of migrants in scientific fields to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange between migrants, scientists, policy-makers, and other stakeholders in the promotion of diversity and inclusion within the scientific community.
Building a network of citizen scientists, researchers, institutions, and organizations to share knowledge and best practices, and to collaborate on citizen science projects that address issues affecting migrants in Norway and Europe in general.
Increase public awareness of the contributions that migrants can make to science, society, and policy that promote social inclusion and diversity in citizen science by creating a welcoming, respectful, and inclusive environment for people from different cultural backgrounds and experiences.
Support the development of migrant-led citizen science projects and initiatives, and provide resources and training to help them succeed through capacity building among migrant communities to collect and analyze data on issues that are relevant to them, such as environment, healthcare, education, employment, and housing among others.
Contribute to the development of a European-wide citizen science movement that is inclusive and responsive to the needs of diverse communities.
Educating policymakers and other stakeholders about the importance of migrants in scientific research and policy development; and ensuring that science communication and public engagement is encouraging citizens specifically migrants to share their perspectives, experiences, and knowledge with the broader public, including policymakers and other stakeholders.
Building partnerships with universities, institutions, and other organizations to facilitate the involvement of migrants in scientific research processes and development, as well as citizen science projects.
Conducting studies on the experiences of migrants in science and society, to further develop strategies to address any barriers or challenges they may face in participating in any of the areas involved in the scientific research processes and development and citizen science projects.
Advocating for policies and funding that support citizen science initiatives and promote the active involvement of citizens, stressing migrants, in science, society, and society.