Insect Affects. A Study on the Motivations of Amateur Entomologists and Implications for Citizen Science

Abstract

<p> <span>With increasing interest in citizen science, this paper discusses how amateur naturalism, especially </span><span>amateur entomology, is placed within citizen science discourses. Through a case study of amateur </span><span>entomology in Finland, the paper discusses amateurs’ diverse motivations for engaging with nature. </span><span>The paper discusses especially the affective and ethical aspects of amateur entomology and its </span><span>implications for citizen science. The discussion is based on an ethnographic study of an entomologist </span><span>society. The paper suggests that amateur naturalism cannot be reduced to any single definition of </span><span>citizen science, but amateur entomologists enact different epistemologies as knowledge producers </span><span>and active citizens. The amateurs are often motivated by an ethical ‘first contract’ with nature. The </span><span>rich amateur culture may democratize and ‘re-enchant’ science, provided the scientist worldview of </span><span>superior data is not allowed to conceal the diversity of amateur motivations.</span> <br></p>